King Charles Commemorates Queen Elizabeth II's Centenary, Unveils Bronze Statue Design
King Charles III delivered a personal video message to commemorate what would have been Queen Elizabeth II's 100th birthday. Recorded at Balmoral, the King reflected on his mother's life of public service and subtly critiqued the contemporary world, stating, "Much about the times we now live in I suspect may have troubled her deeply." No specific concerns were elaborated.
On Tuesday, the centenary of Britain's longest-reigning monarch, the final design for a new bronze statue of the late Queen was presented to King Charles and Queen Camilla. Sculpted by Martin Jennings, the 3-meter tall statue depicts the Queen in her younger years, adorned in the ceremonial robes of the Order of the Garter, and will stand on a 3.4-meter plinth in St James's Park. Its design is influenced by Pietro Annigoni's 1955 portrait of the Queen.
Lord Janvrin, chairman of the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee, explained the statue's focus on her public role, emphasising her "very strong sense of duty" and commitment to public service. The memorial project, designed by a team led by architect Lord Foster, also includes a bust of the Queen in her later years and a bronze statue of Prince Philip. A rebuilt bridge in the park, featuring a glass balustrade evocative of a royal tiara, is also part of the scheme, with completion expected in approximately two years.
Beyond the physical memorials in London, a digital archive will be established on the website Queenelizabeth.com, formerly owned by Cunard and now donated to the memorial. This platform will collect public memories and host a digitised version of the "court circular," documenting the Royal Family's engagements. A nationwide Queen Elizabeth Trust will also support local community initiatives, fostering collective engagement. The King concluded his message by recalling the late Queen's enduring optimism, and her calls for a "happier tomorrow" rooted in "peace, justice, prosperity and security."
