A towering cardboard cutout of the late Queen Elizabeth caused surprise among early morning visitors to St. James's Park in London on Tuesday, with some initially mistaking it for a new Banksy installation. The temporary display is a preview of a 10-foot bronze statue slated for unveiling in 2028.
The replica depicts the late monarch in the early years of her 70-year reign, dressed in the robes of the Order of the Garter. It is a precursor to the permanent memorial, which will also include a sculpture of Prince Philip in his Admiral of the Fleet uniform. Both figures are designed to be placed on plinths near Buckingham Palace, overlooking The Mall.
Lord Norman Foster, who is overseeing the memorial project, observed the cardboard cutout's placement via virtual reality goggles. The final statue is being created by artist Martin Jennings and is inspired by Pietro Annigoni's renowned 1955 portrait of the Queen. The memorial site will also feature a cast-glass bridge, inspired by Queen Mary's fringe tiara, and a later-life bust of Queen Elizabeth by sculptor Karen Newman. Additionally, gardens dedicated to the Commonwealth and the UK's constituent nations are planned for the space.
Passersby expressed their surprise at the early morning spectacle. "I thought it was going to be a Banksy to be honest, that’s the only reason I stopped," one individual told the Daily Mail. "It was pretty surreal seeing a cardboard cutout of the Queen that tall at 6 a.m."