Shortlist of designers for the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Memorial Project

10 May 2006

Five designers have now been shortlisted for the project to design a national memorial to Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.

In alphabetical order, the shortlist runs: Donald Buttress, Donald Insall Associates, Liam O'Connor Architects, Quinlan and Francis Terry Architects, Benjamin Tindall Architects.

Based in different parts of the United Kingdom, the five teams have wide-ranging experience of high-profile public commissions. Their proposals take different approaches to the project.

Further information about the teams, together with an overview of their proposals and previous relevant experience, can be viewed on the official project web site www.qmmemorial.gov.uk.

The shortlisted designers have now been invited to prepare costed proposals for submission in June 2006. These proposals will be featured on this web site when available.

In August, the shortlisted designs will be submitted for consideration by the selection panel and by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales.

Notes to Editors:
1. The site for the memorial to Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother is on the north side of The Mall in London between Marlborough Road and Admiralty Arch. The existing statue of  King George VI in this location was created in 1955 and shows the king dressed in naval uniform. It is envisaged that the existing site will be modified to include a memorial to Queen Elizabeth. The site lies within an area managed by the Royal Parks, which will maintain the memorial on completion. 
 
2. The five shortlisted designers have been selected from over 70 expressions of interest received in the initial phase of the project.

3. The selection panel judging the five submissions will comprise: The Keeper of the Privy Purse, The Director of the Royal Collection, The Principal Private Secretary to The Prince of Wales, and The Director of the Property Section, Buckingham Palace.

4. The memorial project is being managed by the Royal Household, in association with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

5. A special £5 coin produced by the Royal Mint to celebrate The Queen's 80th birthday this year is being sold to raise funds for the national memorial to the late Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. Further information on this coin can be obtained through www.royalmint.gov.uk.

To be released on Wednesday, 10 May 2006, at 1200 hours BST