Elizabeth II statue in Wales will commemorate 'extraordinary reign'

A monument honouring Elizabeth II is planned for Wales, the UK government has announced.

The Cabinet Office revealed this week that capital funding has been provided to build monuments to the late queen in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

It said the cost, form of memorial, location and timeline would be the responsibility of the Welsh government.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said it would "commemorate her extraordinary reign with a memorial that offers a place of reflection for generations to come".

Elizabeth II, who died in 2022 aged 96, was the UK's longest-serving monarch and had been on the throne for 70 years.

In September 2024, plans were announced to create a memorial to her at London's St James's Park overlooking The Mall.

Earlier this week, on what would have been her 100th birthday, it was revealed the bronze statue would feature the former sovereign during her early reign.

Sculptor Martin Jennings will take inspiration from a 1955 portrait by Italian artist Pietro Annigon.

No details have yet been revealed about the form the monument in Wales will take or where it will be located.

A Welsh government spokesperson said it would be a "matter for the next government" following the Senedd election on 7 May.

The UK government has also announced the launch of a digital memorial, bringing together materials from museums, archives and the media.

It will map key events from her reign and give people the opportunity to share memories and images.

Notable figures such as Tom Daley, Dame Tracey Emin and Baroness Valerie Amos have already contributed.

Proposals for the London memorial and details of the Queen Elizabeth Trust and Digital Memorial have gone on display at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff.

A centre spokesperson said it was the "first opportunity" to view the designs outside London and the exhibition would run for approximately six weeks.

In response to the monument announcement, Reform UK said it "welcomed" the plans. "As we have said before, there are far too few signs of national pride in our public spaces," a spokesperson added.

Welsh Labour said they defered to the Welsh Government's response, which was that it will be "a matter for the next government" following the Senedd election.

Plaid Cymru, the Welsh Conservatives, the Welsh Liberal Democrats and the Wales Green Party have been asked for comment.