An independent body will unveil plans for a permanent memorial to Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II in 2026, to mark what would have been the late monarch’s 100th birthday, the British government said on Sunday.
The British Cabinet Office has announced that Robin Janvrin, the Queen’s former private secretary, has been appointed as chairman of the Queen Elizabeth memorial committee to consider proposals for a “fitting tribute” to Britain’s longest-reigning monarch following her death in September 2022.
The queen died in Balmoral, her beloved Scottish castle estate, at 96 years old nearly a year ago, on 8 September.
She had spent 70 years on the throne.
Janvrin and other officials on the committee will consider her long life of public service and the causes she supported, and recommend plans for a national legacy program in the late queen’s honour.
“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,” said Janvrin, who worked at Buckingham Palace in various roles from 1987 to 2007.
The recommendations will be presented to Elizabeth’s heir King Charles III and the prime minister.
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 her death this Friday, but Charles III and other members of the royal family are currently staying at Balmoral.