New memorial to Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother

THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IS ISSUED BY THE PRESS SECRETARY TO THE QUEEN

A new monument to Queen Elizabeth will be sited off The Mall, in London, near the existing statue of King George VI, husband of Queen Elizabeth and father of the present Queen.

Designers, architects and artists throughout the UK, Commonwealth and worldwide are invited to submit expressions of interest by 31 January for an appropriate memorial. The budget for the project is set at £2 million and it is expected to be completed in the summer of 2007.

Expressions of interest will be assessed by a panel on criteria including the quality of previous work, relevant previous experience, fee and references.

The selection panel will put together a shortlist of designers who will be invited to prepare costed proposals. The shortlisted designers will submit designs for consideration by the selection panel and by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales.

Further details about the project, including downloadable site photographs and plans, are available at a dedicated web site, www.qmmemorial.gov.uk, which has been launched today.