Feb 24 2009
HM Queen Mother Memorial
The Queen unveiled the long awaited memorial to her Mother this morning. The memorial is on The Mall, and joins a previous memorial to the Queens Father, King George VI, that she unveiled in October 1955, almost 53 years ago.
The decision was taken to site the Queen Mothers Memorial next to her husbands. The site as it was for 50 years, before re-construction:
The competition to come up with a winning design was launched on the 9th Jan 2006. With the winning design unveiled on the 18th May 2007. The design was approved and given planning permission on the 15th June 2007.
I am not sure when construction began, it was meant to be in Autumn 2007. When I saw it in July 2008, it was in full swing:
More of the design was unveiled last week, and also pictures of the clay model mock up:
Almost ready:
Design features:
The unveiling of the finished product today by The Queen and other members of the family:
The Princess Royal and the Earl of Wessex inspect the back of the statue:
The Memorial statue to the late Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother is a lasting and fitting tribute to a very great lady who loved her country and gave so much from the time she became Duchess of York to her death as Queen Doweger. He unfailing selflessness and strong will, her kindness and caring could never be repaid by any in this country. She was respected, admired and loved by the majority of the country and she will remain in the hearts of many throughout the passage of time. History will record how great an asset she was to the British and Commonwealth peoples.