It’s been a big week for the royal family: the coronation portraits of King Charles III and Queen Camilla were unveiled at the National Gallery, and the king addressed the nation from Horse Guards Parade to mark VE Day. That’s not to mention an announcement that will reshape one of London’s most important public spaces: the architects shortlisted to design a memorial to Queen Elizabeth II in St James’s Park.
Rakewell was unsurprised to find that bridges feature in all five nominated designs. But given that the late monarch was so unshowy, your royal correspondent is dismayed to see even the simplest structures over-egg things a bit. Take Norman Foster’s ‘Unity Bridge’, which spans the lake in the park: admirably pared back, until you learn that ‘the Queen’s voice is ever present through audio installations’ – a feature of which even the late monarch’s most devoted admirers may tire.
A render of the bridge across St James’s Park Lake designed by Foster + Partners. Courtesy Foster + Partners and Malcolm Reading Consultants
Other designs are doing heavy lifting behind the scenes. WilkinsonEyre’s wending garden pathways are intended to symbolise no fewer than seven themes, including ‘values’ and ‘Prince Philip’. Meanwhile, Heatherwick Studio seems to have a hitherto-unexpected sense of humour. A promenade comprising 70 water lilies invites visitors to ‘immerse themselves in nature […] anchored by supporting features such as the café [and] ice cream kiosk’. Just think how much more impressive Monet’s masterworks would be if they were 3D and came with gelato. Each lily pad is themed (sample theme: Togetherness), with several sub-themes and sub-sub-themes (‘Philanthropy’, ‘Zeal’) branching off inside it.
A render of the bridges across St James’s Park Lake designed by WilkinsonEyre. Courtesy WilkinsonEyre and Malcolm Reading Consultants
Three of the plans include equestrian statues of the queen, a reminder of her love of the gee-gees. But are the designers missing a trick by ignoring her beloved corgis? Elizabeth II owned more than 30. It’s all well and good to set ideas of perseverance, commitment and duty in stone, but Rakewell suggests that London learn from the regions and put up the ultimate status symbol.