Archive May 7, 2025

Five early concept designs for a new landmark memorial to the late Queen, who died in September 2022, in St James Park in the heart of London have gone on display

The final shortlisted designs for the national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II have been unveiled, including a bronze cast of a Windsor oak tree, a giant canopy of stone lily pads and a statue of the late Queen next to Prince Philip. The five early design concepts have been displayed as part of an online public exhibition which opened today.

Other ideas include audio installations featuring the late Queen’s voice, a “tranquil family” of romantic royal gardens inspired by the Georgian architect John Nash, “forest bathing in the heart of the city”, and a “graceful and strong” stone bridge with cascading water. The public is being encouraged to view the proposed designs for the competition run by Malcolm Reading Consultants and offer feedback by May 19.

The Mirror exclusively revealed last year that the national memorial will stand in St James’s Park in the heart of London, which Prime Minister Keir Starmer later said will provide “everyone with a place to honour the late Queen and connect with the shared history we cherish”.

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The late Queen died peacefully at Balmoral Castle on September 8, 2022, at the age of 96. Elizabeth II, whose reign spanned 70 years, dedicated her life to her royal duty.

After a year of consideration by a specially appointed committee headed by Lord Janvrin, the late Queen’s former private secretary in the wake of her passing, St James’s Park has been chosen and approved by the King. The location of the memorial was chosen because of its closeness to the ceremonial route of The Mall, and Buckingham Palace, and its historical and constitutional significance, but also because of a poignant personal connection to the late Queen – the nearby statues of her beloved parents.

The bronze tributes to King George VI, who died at the age of 56 in 1952, and the Queen Mother, who died aged 101 in the Golden Jubilee year of 2002, stand just a short distance along The Mall. The announcement of the final design will coincide with what would have been the Queen’s 100th birthday year in 2026.

Lord Janvrin, chairman of the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee, said: “Queen Elizabeth II’s extraordinary life of service profoundly touched countless individuals, and she was a figure of great respect and admiration. Memories of her long reign are still fresh for so many of us and we need to capture the essence of them for future generations”.

He added: “In recognition of this, it is only fitting that we invite the public to express their views on these design concepts.

“We are delighted to be working with some of the best architects, artists and designers in the world to produce a landmark memorial of outstanding beauty that celebrates and honours the life of Queen Elizabeth II.”

Hailed as one of the most significant design initiatives in modern British history, the memorial in St James’s Park, close to Buckingham Palace in the heart of London, will provide the public with a permanent memorial to the country’s longest-reigning monarch, who died in 2022.

A panel of committee members will select the winning concept and work with the team on the final design, which is expected to be unveiled in 2026, which would have been the late Queen’s 100th birthday year.

The committee will also select an artist, through a separate process, to create a figurative representation of Elizabeth II for the site on The Mall in central London.

The five design concepts are:

1. A” tranquil family “of royal gardens inspired by John Nash’s original landscape of the park, linked by a natural stone tessellated path by Lord Foster of Foster + Partners with artist Yinka Shonibare, ecologist Professor Nigel Dunnett and landscape architect Michel Desvigne Paysagiste.

Other elements include a statue of the Queen alongside Philip on Birdcage Walk next to a Prince Philip Gate and, on the other side of the park, an equestrian statue of the Queen in a new civic space called Queen Elizabeth II Place at Marlborough Gate. The plans also incorporate a contemporary wind sculpture for reflection, audio installations of the Queen’s voice, a digital conservatory and a translucent Unity Bridge.

2. Bridge of Togetherness – A memorial walk inspired by the idea of” togetherness “with 70 lily pad stepping stones by Heatherwick Studio with sculptor and ceramicist Halima Cassell, MRG Studio, Webb Yates and Arup. At the centre of the bridge is a limestone sculpture of the late Queen, whose childhood nickname was Lilibet, protected by a giant canopy of eight carved sculptural lily pads, with the stone chosen because it will” age with dignity”.

3. An innovative stone bridge over soil, tree roots and water, featuring a gentle cascade of water onto the lake, to represent the late Queen as the bedrock of the nation, has been designed by J&amp, L Gibbons with production designer Michael Levine, and William Matthews Associates. It aims to capture a” meandering flow of geology carrying people through an ephemeral choreography of blossoming and colour beneath the high tree canopy “and includes glades to invite” forest bathing in the heart of the city”.

4. The Queen’s Oak – An exact bronze cast of an” awe-inspiring “ancient oak from Windsor Great Park, representing the late Queen’s strength and endurance and symbolising the monarchy, is the central focus of a design by Tom Stuart-Smith with Jamie Fobert Architects and artist Adam Lowe of Factum Are. The digitally scanned replica tree would stand on a plinth in the lake, with a curved stone bridge as a viewing platform. There would also be a serpentine memorial path, for all ages and abilities, which incorporates inlaid bronze casts of significant objects from the late Queen’s life and a” sonic soundscape “of memories from those she impacted.

5. A thread of pathways and landscapes” gently woven through the natural fabric “of the park with a pair of” elegant bridges “have been suggested by Wilkinson Eyre with artists Lisa Vandy and Fiona Clarke. Aiming to impose the” lightest footprint “on the park, the thread, with symbolic spaces for reflection, focuses on seven themes of the late Queen’s life – reign, faith, Commonwealth, values, nature, family, and Prince Philip.

The final design will be submitted to the King and Prime Minister Keir Starmer for approval. The proposed designs are available to view at competitions.malcolmreading.com/queenelizabethmemorial/gallery

Gymnastics star Claudia Fragapane forced to relocate after alleged repeated harassment from a teenage stalker, despite a prior restraining order

Olympic gymnast and Strictly Come Dancing alum Claudia Fragapane was forced to move out of her home after enduring a prolonged stalking ordeal at the hands of a teenage girl, a Bristol court has heard.

The 27-year-old athlete, renowned for her accomplishments in gymnastics and her 2016 Strictly semi-final run with partner AJ Pritchard, found her privacy disrupted when a 15-year-old girl allegedly tracked her down and appeared at her doorstep.

Fragapane photographed the teenager after she arrived unannounced, having reportedly located her address through independent efforts described as “detective work”.

Magistrates were told that Fragapane’s sense of safety was shattered. The incident left her gripped by “fear and anxiety”, as detailed in a previously submitted victim impact statement.

The teenager, whose identity remains protected due to her age, violated a restraining order that had already been put in place the previous month. On May 5, she once again allegedly tried to initiate contact, further escalating the situation.

District Judge Lynne Matthews commented on the distress the actions had caused: “Claudia has no idea how]the defendant] found her. She left her own home because of her actions. She’s turned Claudia’s life upside down”.

The court heard the girl is currently not enrolled in school and is awaiting an educational placement.

In response to the breach, she was issued an 18-month rehabilitation order, which includes a requirement to live with her father, supervision for the full duration, and an extended restraining order prohibiting her from approaching Fragapane at any location, including her known address.

Judge Matthews concluded the hearing with a firm warning, saying: “I’d really like it if this was the last time you see me. Stay away from her]Claudia]”.

She emphasised that any further violations would likely result in detention, noting the seriousness of the continued harassment.

Fragapane, who was not present in court, has previously been honoured as the BBC’s Young Sports Personality of the Year and claimed four gold medals at the Commonwealth Games – a record-equalling feat in British gymnastics history.

Born in Bristol, Claudia began gymnastics at age six and trained at Bristol Hawks Gymnastics Club under coaches Helen Potter and Rory Weavers. She announced her retirement from elite gymnastics in February 2024 at age 26, expressing plans to continue in the sport as a coach and choreographer.

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Friends of Victoria and David Beckham rally around the couple saying they went to great efforts to support their daughter-in-law

David and Victoria Beckham are “deeply sad” about the rift which has emerged between them and their daughter-in-law as pals insisted they “pulled out all the stops” to make it work.

Sources close to son Brooklyn’s wife Nicola Peltz have suggested that her in-laws have not been supportive of her career, and have been unwelcoming.

But friends close to the couple say they have backed Nicola “at every opportunity” and that there was “no anger but just a deep sense of sorrow about how things have turned out.”

The source added: “They have gone above and beyond to help Nicola with her endeavours.”

Victoria, 51, attended the premiere of Nicola’s film Lola in Los Angeles last year and posed on the red carpet arm in arm with her. She was also at the London screening to promote the film, along with the rest of the family: David, 50, Harper, 13, Romeo, 22, and Cruz, 20.

“Victoria was even on crutches after injuring her foot but wouldn’t miss it for the world as she knew how important it was for Nicola, and her son,” a friend says.

After the LA premiere, Victoria wrote: “We could not be more proud of you. Congratulations on your incredible film……kisses.” In another post, she said: “We’re so proud of you and all your hard work.”

David was equally supportive of his daughter-in-law on social media to help promote his daughter-in-law’s film, friends said.

A pal said: “Lets not forget that David has 88million Instagram followers, and he was repeatedly promoting Nicola’s film, and expressing his love for her and the project. Privately, too, he was of course very supportive as well.”

David even sent his love to Nicola when her dog died and shared a post written by Nicola talking about her heartache.

The friend said: “Again, does this strike you as someone who is uncaring and not accepting of Nicola into the family.”

The Mirror told this week how a rift had opened up after Brooklyn, 26, and Nicola, 30 snubbed David’s 50th bash at the swanky Core restaurant in London’s Notting Hill. Sources close to Nicola insist that the reason for the no-show was because Romeo’s girlfriend Kim Turnbull, 25, and Brooklyn once had a “brief romantic connection” and didn’t approve of her. They claim the Beckhams instead “chose Romeo’s girlfriend over family.”

But a friend of the Beckhams said: “Kim and Brooklyn did not date and she has nothing to do with any of this. In any case, why did Brooklyn not go to the Cotswolds party where Kim wasn’t there…or the Scottish fishing trip with his dad and other brothers. It doesn’t make sense.”

One source connected to the family said earlier this week of the Brooklyn no-show: “It was a real blow to David. Brooklyn was close with his dad growing up but he is married now…things have escalated in recent months and there is a very obvious rift that David and Victoria would love to heal.”

A clip from 1996 has resurfaced showing a fresh-faced Claudia Winkleman, who has been presenting Strictly Come Dancing since 2010, and fans can’t believe how different she looks

Claudia Winkleman’s fans have been left gobsmacked after a throwback clip from 1996 resurfaced, showing the star long before she became a familiar face on Strictly Come Dancing. The now 53-year-old joined the Strictly results show as a co-host with Tess Daly in 2010, and ascended to the main show in 2014 after Bruce Forsyth stepped down.

Known for her iconic fringe and heavy eyeliner, Claudia’s signature style has become synonymous with her TV persona. But viewers were astonished to see how different she appeared as a youthful 24-year-old in vintage BBC archive footage.

The Instagram post, featuring the clip, was captioned: “Claudia Winkleman on how to improve your pulling power. OnThisDay 1996: Claudia Winkleman had some top tips and choice chat-up lines to help men and women alike, to improve their pulling power. Clip taken from Good Morning with Anne and Nick, originally broadcast 3 May 1996.”

In the snippet, a young Winkleman, dubbed a “chat up connoisseur”, dishes out flirting advice aimed at both sexes.

Fans didn’t hold back on their reactions to her pre-fame look, with one commenting: “She’s a beautiful lady – she doesn’t need to hide behind a fringe and eyeline.”

Another remarked: “Wow. Looks so different but her voice and mannerisms give it away.” While a third admirer noted: “Lovely woman inside and out, then and now.”

Another user remarked: “Her accent has changed quite a bit, she’s definitely not as posh as she is in this clip. I think she’s fab.” One also commented: “I would never have recognised her.”

A different user noted: “Her hairstyle suits her so much more than having a fringe 1⁄2 way down her face. The natural colour looks better too.”

Winkleman’s television journey began in 1992 with an appearance on the BBC series Holiday. In the mid ’90s, she even featured on This Morning as a reporter, getting the scoop on lots of celebrity news.

Her breakthrough TV role came in 2001 with Central Weekend, a regional debate show. Subsequently, she went on to present Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two and later joined the main show.

In recent times, Winkleman has been at the helm of several shows including The Great British Sewing Bee, The Big Fat Anniversary Quiz, Britain’s Best Home Cook and The Traitors UK.

Tech Advisor reports that recording for season 4 of The Traitors UK is set for this spring or summer, teasing a potential return to our screens in early January 2026.

Meanwhile, the BBC excitedly announced on Instagram: “The time for talk is over… The Traitors has been commissioned for a fourth series as well as a nine-part celebrity version for iPlayer and BBC One – and series three has already been filmed in the Scottish Highlands.

Fans can’t believe how different Claudia Winkleman looks now that a clip from 1996 has been re-released. She has been hosting Strictly Come Dancing since 2010.

Fans of Claudia Winkleman were left speechless after a 1996 clip that appeared that showed the actress before she became well-known on Strictly Come Dancing was reaired. The now-53-year-old co-hosted the Strictly results show in 2010 along with Tess Daly, and after Bruce Forsyth left, he became the show’s main event host.

Known for her iconic fringe and heavy eyeliner, Claudia’s signature style has become synonymous with her TV persona. But viewers were astonished to see how different she appeared as a youthful 24-year-old in vintage BBC archive footage.

The Instagram post, featuring the clip, was captioned: “Claudia Winkleman on how to improve your pulling power. OnThisDay 1996: Claudia Winkleman had some top tips and choice chat-up lines to help men and women alike, to improve their pulling power. Clip taken from Good Morning with Anne and Nick, originally broadcast 3 May 1996.”

A young Winkleman, known as a “chat up connoisseur,” offers flirtatious advice in the snippet that is directed at both sexes.

One fan wrote, “She’s a beautiful lady – she doesn’t need to hide behind a fringe and eyeline,” while others reacted in a more casual manner. “

Another remarked, “Wow. Although her voice and mannerisms make her appear so different, they are obvious. While a third admirer remarked, “Lovely woman both inside and out, then and now. “

Another user commented, “Her accent has changed considerably; she’s not as posh as she is in this clip. She’s amazing, in my opinion. One person added, “I would never have recognized her.” “

Her hairstyle is much more appropriate for her than having a fringe 12 inches down her face, according to another user. The appearance is improved by the natural color. “

Winkleman’s television journey began in 1992 with an appearance on the BBC series Holiday. In the mid ’90s, she even featured on This Morning as a reporter, getting the scoop on lots of celebrity news.

Her breakthrough TV role came in 2001 with Central Weekend, a regional debate show. Subsequently, she went on to present Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two and later joined the main show.

In recent times, Winkleman has been at the helm of several shows including The Great British Sewing Bee, The Big Fat Anniversary Quiz, Britain’s Best Home Cook and The Traitors UK.

According to Tech Advisor, The Traitors UK’s fourth season will begin recording in the spring or summer, easing a potential resurgence to our screens in early January 2026.

The BBC also announced on Instagram that “the time for talking is over.” The Traitors has received a fourth season, as has a nine-part celebrity adaptation for iPlayer and BBC One, and third season three has already been shot in the Scottish Highlands.