Design chosen for special memorial honouring Queen Elizabeth II

This is what the new Unity Bridge across St. James's Park Lake is expected to look like

A new memorial will be created in St James's Park in London to celebrate the life of Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch in British history.

The special place will include a statue and a glass bridge called the Unity Bridge.

The bridge is inspired by the Queen's wedding tiara, a sparkling diamond crown she wore when she got married in 1947.

The bridge will cross over the park's water and symbolise how the Queen brought people together from the UK, and countries in the Commonwealth.

There will also be a statue of Queen Elizabeth II in front of the Marlborough Gate on The Mall

The new memorial will open in 2026, the year the Queen would have turned 100 years old.

Near to the monarch's home in central London, Buckingham Palace, there will be a new space called Queen Elizabeth II Place.

Located at Marlborough Gate down The Mall, the road that leads to Buckingham Palace, a statue of Queen Elizabeth sitting on a horse will reflect the former Queen's love of horses.

On the other side of the park, by Birdcage Walk, a special Prince Philip Gate will be built, with a statue to remember the Queen's husband, Prince Philip.

The memorial will also have winding paths and several beautiful gardens called the "family of gardens". The design aims to support plants, animals, and wildlife living in the park.

The planned statues of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh at the new Prince Philip Gate in St. James's Park on Birdcage Walk

The winning design for Queen Elizabeth II's memorial was chosen from a list of five with feedback taken from a public vote.

The winning design was put together by architect Lord Norman Foster, who was responsible for The Gherkin skyscraper, also in London.

The Queen's former private secretary Lord Janvrin, who worked very closely with her majesty and is chairman of the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee, described the design as "ambitious and thoughtful".

He added that it will "allow us and future generations to appreciate Queen Elizabeth's life of service as she balanced continuity and change with strong values, common sense and optimism throughout her long reign."

Artist's impression of the new Unity Bridge across St. James's Park Lake

Speaking about the design, Lord Foster said: "At the heart of our masterplan is a translucent bridge symbolic of Her Majesty as a unifying force, bringing together nations, countries, the Commonwealth, charities and the armed forces."

The bridge, inspired by the then Princess Elizabeth's wedding tiara which was of great sentimental value to her majesty.

Featuring 47 bars of diamonds, the tiara's antique metal frame famously snapped when the princess was getting ready on the morning of her wedding, and had to be rushed to a jewellers to be fixed.

The priceless headpiece was loaned, by the Queen, to her granddaughter Princess Beatrice for her wedding in 2020.

The wedding tiara that inspired the new bridge