Government commits £40m to establish Queen Elizabeth Trust for centenary commemorations

A new charity is being established to honour the life of Queen Elizabeth II, during a week in which the centenary of her birth will be marked. The government is providing a one-off payment of £40m to establish the Queen Elizabeth Trust, which will have King Charles III as its patron.

The charity will focus on restoring shared spaces in communities, reflecting the late Queen's commitment to public service inspired by the belief that "everyone is our neighbour" - a sentiment she frequently expressed throughout her life. The late Queen died in 2022 at the age of 96 and would have turned 100 on 21 April.

"This is a real chance to support communities across the United Kingdom and bring shared spaces back to life - places where people of all ages and backgrounds can meet, connect and belong," said businessman Sir Damon Buffini, who will chair the Queen Elizabeth Trust.

The charity aims to develop and transform underused buildings and green spaces, as well as ensure that communities have the skills and training needed to organise local events. There is a long-standing tradition of honouring the late monarch through living memorials which impact the daily lives of British people. After the death of the late Queen's grandfather in 1936, for example, the King George V playing fields project was set up to protect recreational grounds across the country.

The new trust is one of three memorial projects established to remember the Queen's life of public service. A number of events are taking place for the Royal Family to remember her and there will also be a global digital memorial allowing people to contribute their personal memories of the life of Britain's longest-reigning monarch.

The King and Queen Camilla will visit the British Museum to view plans for the Queen Elizabeth II national memorial in St James Park in London designed by architect Sir Norman Foster. Later in the day, they will host a reception at Buckingham Palace where guests will be presented with birthday cards by the King.

Buckingham Palace has also announced that award-winning historian Dr Anna Keay will write the the late monarch's official authorised biography. "I am deeply grateful to His Majesty The King for entrusting me with this responsibility and for granting me access to her papers," Dr Keay said. "I will do all I can to do justice to her life and work."

As well as being given access to her personal and official papers held in the Royal Archives, Dr Keay will also speak to those who knew the late Queen best during her life, including members of the Royal Family.