Fundraising has officially begun for a memorial statue of Queen Elizabeth II in Portsmouth, as the city marks one hundred years since being granted city status.
The appeal launched on Tuesday 21 April 2026, a date which is significant for two reasons. It marks both the centenary of Portsmouth officially becoming a city and what would have been the late Queen’s 100th birthday.
Portsmouth has long had a close relationship with the Crown, and Queen Elizabeth the Second visited the city on many important occasions during her reign. These included the Silver Jubilee in 1977, welcoming home Falklands War troops in 1982, the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar in 2005, and the D-Day 75 commemorations in 2019. She also played a central role in the reopening of Portsmouth Guildhall in 1959 and marked the first operational deployment of HMS Queen Elizabeth in May 2021.
Portsmouth City Council says the statue will provide a lasting place for people to reflect on the late monarch’s life of service and her strong connection to the city. The authority is contributing £10,000 to help start the project.
Residents, businesses and supporters are now being invited to contribute to the fundraising campaign.
To make a donation, visit: https://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/QEmemorialdonations/
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