National memorial to late Queen to be considered, Cabinet Office says

The Whitehall department said use of Queen Elizabeth II’s full title would be ‘closely protected’, with permission needed for community memorials.

Queen Elizabeth II died in September after celebrating 70 years on the throne (Steve Parsons/PA) (PA Wire)

A national memorial to the late Queen will be considered, the Cabinet Office has said.

The department said use of Queen Elizabeth II’s full title would be “closely protected” as it set out plans to commission a UK memorial for her.

“Careful consideration will be given in due course to the commissioning of an official national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II,” the Cabinet Office said.

According to The Daily Telegraph, the membership of a committee to decide on the monument will be announced ahead of the anniversary of her death on September 8.

The full title of Queen Elizabeth II will continue to be closely protected and only be granted for applications with strong royal connections

Cabinet Office

Applications from communities and organisations wanting to name parks, gardens or streets after her are likely to be “looked upon favourably” if they incorporate “memorial” or “remembrance” in the title, according to new Government guidance published on July 4.

But to ensure the use of her name “continues to be undertaken in a dignified and appropriate manner” permission will have to be sought, the guidance says.

Several reports said the guidance means those wishing to name pubs and buildings after the late Queen, who died aged 96 just months after celebrating her platinum jubilee, marking 70 years on the throne, would have to seek approval.

The guidance says: “The protected royal titles are sparingly granted and strict standards are applied.

“As a matter dealt with under the royal prerogative, information about any criteria which may exist and the reasons for the grant or refusal of an application are not disclosed.

“Communities, organisations and individuals may wish to mark the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and commemorate her extraordinary reign through the use of her name and title, for example by naming a park, garden or street.

“Requests that incorporate ‘memorial’ or ‘remembrance’ in a proposed name are likely to be looked upon favourably, where possible.

“The full title of Queen Elizabeth II will continue to be closely protected and only be granted for applications with strong royal connections.”

Former members of the royal family have commonly had memorials built in their honour after their death.

In London, there is the Queen Victoria Memorial outside Buckingham Palace, the Royal Albert Hall in Kensington and the Diana Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park.

The late Queen unveiled a memorial to her father, George VI, in 1955, three years after his death.

A statue near to George’s on The Mall was erected to honour his wife, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, who died in 2002.

There are already some projects named after the late Queen, including the Elizabeth Line which travels through central London.