A well-known artist tasked with sculpting a statue of Queen Elizabeth II for a national memorial aims to create a contemporary piece capturing the late monarch’s elegance and poise. Martin Jennings, known for his portrayals of the Royal Family, expressed excitement about the project, emphasizing the connection between depicting three generations of royals. The statue will be placed in Queen Elizabeth II Place at Marlborough Gate near Buckingham Palace.
Architect Lord Foster secured the project to design the national memorial, which will include a new Prince Philip Gate, a statue of the Queen’s late husband, and a series of gardens, meandering paths, and a glass unity bridge. Jennings emphasized the importance of listening to various stakeholders’ views to ensure the monument meets aesthetic and functional requirements.
Avoiding premature visualization of the statue’s design, Jennings cited historical precedents like the Victoria Memorial and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother’s memorial. He stressed the need for a contemporary artwork that pays homage to Queen Elizabeth’s lengthy reign. With a track record of creating notable sculptures, Jennings highlighted the significance of representing multiple royal family members from different eras.
The artist underlined the importance of the statue exuding grandeur and dignity suitable for its ceremonial location. Drawing inspiration from the Queen’s grace and restraint, Jennings pledged to craft a sculpture that communicates with each viewer individually. The memorial project, expected to be completed by 2026, coinciding with what would have been the Queen’s 100th birthday, has an estimated construction budget of £23-46 million.