UK Allocates Up to £46M for Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Amid Cultural Funding Cuts

The planned monument in St. James’s Park has drawn criticism for its high cost as arts and cultural institutions face severe financial challenges.

The UK government has set a provisional budget of £23–46 million for a memorial to Queen Elizabeth II, to be erected in St. James’s Park near Buckingham Palace.
The memorial design competition, currently in its first phase, seeks innovative proposals, including potential digital or interactive elements, with a winner to be announced by summer 2025.
Critics argue the funding is disproportionate, especially as the UK’s arts and culture sector struggles with significant budget cuts and closures of over 500 museums since 2000.
Advocates for the memorial emphasize its importance as a tribute to the late Queen’s legacy, with the committee aiming for a design that balances historical context and modern engagement.
Public dissatisfaction has also been directed at the use of taxpayer funds, with suggestions that the Sovereign Grant, which supports the monarchy, could instead finance the project.