Queen Elizabeth II and a Royal Century: setting the scene

On 21 April 2026, Queen Elizabeth II would have celebrated her centenary. As the longest-reigning monarch in British history, her life—from wartime princess to historic sovereign—shaped modern Britain. The centenary will not simply be an anniversary; it will serve as a moment of national reflection, cultural celebration, and renewed tribute to her extraordinary 70 year reign.

A life in style takes centre stage in royal century celebrations

Running from spring until autumn 2026 at The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, the Royal Collection Trust is staging the largest exhibition ever devoted to the wardrobe of Queen Elizabeth II.

Featuring around 200 garments and accessories, including Norman Hartnell’s 1947 wedding dress and the 1953 Coronation gown, as well as everyday attire and state‑dinner ensembles by Hardy Amies and Ian Thomas, the exhibition will chronicle her fashion across ten decades.

Complementing the show is an official publication, Queen Elizabeth II: Fashion and Style, set to be published in March 2026 and the work of the Royal Collection Trust’s curator Caroline de Guitaut. It will be enhanced with expert commentary on the involvement of Elizabeth II in each design that became an iconic symbol of her reign.

The Regent’s Park Centenary Garden

The Royal Parks charity has secured planning permission to transform a disused nursery in Regent’s Park into a two-acre memorial garden, slated to open in 2026.

Designed by HTA Design LLP with Dr Noel Kingsbury and Tate + Co, the space will feature a circular pond, promenade, woodlands, meadows and hedgerows, emphasizing biodiversity and sustainability—including recycled steel from existing structures and adaptive reuse of a water tower into a wildlife habitat and visitor viewing platform.

Floral planting will include species personally significant to the Queen, notably lily‑of‑the‑valley, part of her coronation bouquet and one of her favourite flowrs, alongside blooms representing the nations she served.

This tranquil retreat promises to be free to the public, providing space for quiet reflection. It’s set to become another of London’s iconic green spaces, a fitting tribute to a monarch who was at the heart of some of the most famous events to take place in the capital in the 20^th century.

National Memorial in St James’s Park

Perhaps the most ambitious element in the events to mark the centenary of Queen Elizabeth II is the new national memorial, to be built in St James’s Park, just steps from Buckingham Palace.

The Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee, chaired by Lord Robin Janvrin, has overseen a design competition whose shortlist was unveiled in early 2025, leading to the selection of a design by Foster + Partners in June 2025.

The memorial will include:

• A statue of Queen Elizabeth II in a civic space called Queen Elizabeth II Place at Marlborough Gate.
• A paired statue of both the Queen and Prince Philip at the Prince Philip Gate on Birdcage Walk.
• A cast-glass bridge, dubbed the “Unity Bridge,” inspired by the Queen’s wedding tiara and symbolizing her unifying role across the Commonwealth.
• A series of themed gardens: Communities of the UK, a Commonwealth garden, and a Prince Philip Gate garden, all interwoven with landscaped reflection zones, wind sculpture by Yinka Shonibare, and naturalistic planting.

The memorial budget could go as high as £46 million and confirms a government commitment to a powerful and lasting symbol, with a firm intention that “nothing is off the table”—including ideas such as AI or augmented reality installations to engage future generations—a modern approach to honouring historic legacy.

Public consultation has been extensive, including youth focus groups, to ensure that the final memorial transcends mere statuary to become a meaningful space for all Britons. The final design is anticipated to be unveiled on the actual 100^th anniversary of the birth of Queen Elizabeth II, 21 April 2026, marking the centenary with both civic grandeur and emotional resonance.

A broader legacy to mark a royal century

Beyond the high-profile memorial and garden, the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee is also considering a legacy programme in her honour, with proposals including community services, public spaces, sports facilities, cultural funding, and more—echoing earlier royal traditions like King George V playing fields across the UK.

Notably, proposals have included a £10 million “QEII Culture Fund” allocated to local councils and communities, supporting projects such as bespoke statues, cultural spaces, art installations and memorial gardens—even extending to a possible permanent equestrian statue on Trafalgar Square’s Fourth Plinth, evoking her love of horses and stable tradition.

What to expect in 2026, the year of the royal century

By the time April 21, 2026 arrives, the nation will unveil:

• A spectacular fashion‑themed exhibition at the King’s Gallery, showcasing her style legacy.
• A newly opened, biodiversity-rich garden in Regent’s Park for public enjoyment.
• A visually stunning and symbolically layered national memorial in St James’s Park.
• A series of community-led cultural memorials funded and motivated by a legacy programme.

Together, these planned tributes capture the breadth of Queen Elizabeth II’s public service, from the glamour of court to the grassroots of community life, combining traditional national symbolism with environmentally conscious design and technological ambition.

The year 2026 promises to deliver not just a centenary but a reflection of modern Britain through the prism of her life: innovation married with tradition, local voices amplified alongside regal symbols, and a nation’s gratitude commemorated with creativity. From elegant couture to sustainable landscapes, from stately architecture to digital installations, the centenary aims to be as multifaceted as Elizabeth II herself—poised to resonate long after the statues and petals fade.