UK reveals plans for ‘fitting tribute’ to Queen Elizabeth II

The British government has announced that a memorial to honour Queen Elizabeth II will be unveiled in 2026 to coincide with what would have been the late monarch’s 100th birthday.

The British government has revealed early plans to erect a permanent memorial to honour Queen Elizabeth II.

The “fitting tribute” to Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, who died last September at her beloved Balmoral estate aged 96 after 70 years on the throne, will be unveiled in 2026 to coincide with what would have been her 100th birthday.

The Queen Elizabeth memorial committee will consider and recommend proposals for the memorial and legacy program, the British Cabinet Office announced.

A permanent memorial will be erected to honour the late Queen Elizabeth II. Picture: Getty Images

The initiative will be jointly supported by the British Government and the Royal Household, with Lord Robin Janvrin, the late Queen’s former private secretary, appointed as chairman.

The independent body set up to create the tribute will consider the late Queen’s life of public service and the causes she supported, and will encourage suggestions from the British public.

Lord Janvrin, who worked at Buckingham Palace in various roles from 1987 to 2007, called his appointment “an honour”.

Recommendations on the memorial will be taken to King Charles, pictured with his late mother last year, and British PM Rishi Sunak. Picture: AFP

“It will be a unique challenge to try to capture for future generations Her Late Majesty’s extraordinary contribution to our national life throughout her very long reign,” he said.

Senior royal, political and other figures and experts are set to be appointed to the committee to develop ideas and bring their recommendations to her heir, King Charles, and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

The government said it will support the proposals and consider funding options.

“Queen Elizabeth II was our longest reigning monarch and greatest public servant,” Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said.

The Queen with senior members of the royal family in one of her final public appearances in June last year during celebrations for her Platinum Jubilee. Picture: AFP

“Lord Janvrin will now begin the important work of designing a fitting tribute to her legacy of service to our nation and the Commonwealth.”

In 1955, Elizabeth unveiled a statue of her father, George VI, on The Mall outside Buckingham Palace.

No public events are planned to mark the first anniversary of the Queen’s death this Friday (local time), but King Charles and other members of the royal family are currently staying at Balmoral.

The Queen with her children Princess Anne and then Prince Charles at her beloved Balmoral in 1952. Picture: Getty Images

King Charles will reportedly spend the time in quiet reflection with family, instead of hosting a public commemoration.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have not been invited despite being in Europe for the Invictus Games a day after the anniversary.

The Sussexes, who quit the royal family in 2020 and have since repeatedly slammed the royals, are due to kick off the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf 24 hours later.

A source said of the commemorations snub: “If they are not included in any of those plans they will find a way to mark the significance in their own way.”

CHARLES, CAMILLA ATTEND CHURCH IN BALMORAL

As news of the Queen’s memorial was made public, King Charles donned a traditional kilt as he attended church alongside British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in Balmoral.

The monarch waved to onlookers as he arrived for the service at Crathie Church with Queen Camilla and sister Princess Anne, who also had tartan incorporated into their outfits.

King Charles III, Queen Camilla, and Princess Anne, attend church at Balmoral. Picture: Getty Images

Queen Camilla arrives at church in Balmoral. Picture: Getty Images

Mr Sunak smiled as he entered the church with wife Akshata Murty.

The late Queen traditionally invited the incumbent Prime Minister up to her Scottish estate for a stay during the northern hemisphere summer, and it appears King Charles is continuing this during his reign.

The 50,000-acre Balmoral estate is beloved by the royal family, and was considered to be the Queen’s favourite residence. It was here where she spent the last days of her life, before her death at the age of 96 on September 8.