Karen Newman, a celebrated sculptor renowned for her portrayals of World War Two heroines, has been selected to create a sculpture of Queen Elizabeth II for the national memorial on Birdcage Walk in central London.
The artist, who honed her craft over two decades at Madame Tussauds, will produce a work capturing "the strong and complex personality" of the late monarch.
Ms Newman's sculpture will form part of the wider memorial designed by architect Lord Foster, complementing a larger statue of the Queen by Martin Jennings positioned on the opposite side of St James's Park.
During her tenure at Madame Tussauds, Ms Newman created wax figures of numerous prominent individuals, including Prince Philip, former Prime Ministers Harold Wilson and Sir Tony Blair, as well as musicians Stevie Wonder and Yoko Ono.
Queen Elizabeth II sculpture in central London to portray ‘complex personality’
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Expressing her gratitude for the commission, Ms Newman said: "It is a huge honour to be asked to contribute my work to the memorial for Queen Elizabeth II."
She described the late sovereign as "an iconic and unifying figure in our national story."
The sculptor outlined her creative vision, stating: "I am very much looking forward to portraying the strong and complex personality of our late Queen."
Ms Newman explained that her artistic approach would blend different aspects of Elizabeth II's remarkable life.
Sculptor Karen Newman modelling a clay head of Tony Blair at London's famous Madame Tussaud's in 1995
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"My approach will be to combine elements of her life in the sculpture, showing her both as an icon and as an individual," she said.
The commission recognises Ms Newman's membership of both the Royal British Society of Sculptors and the Society of Portrait Sculptors.
Ms Newman's portfolio includes several striking bronze memorials honouring women who served during World War Two.
Her tribute to Noor Inayat Khan, the first female radio operator deployed into Nazi-occupied France as a British secret agent, stands in Gordon Square Gardens.
Karen Newman's sculpture of British secret agent Noor Inayat Khan
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Outside Lambeth Palace, facing Parliament, visitors can find her bronze bust of Violette Szabo, who operated for the Special Operations Executive in France.
The sculptor has additionally commemorated Nancy Wake, the secret agent who guided hundreds of Allied personnel to safety from occupied France and earned the nickname The White Mouse due to her skill at evading Nazi capture.
Lord Foster praised Ms Newman's selection, saying: "Her talent and sensitivity will bring a profound sense of dignity to the work, and I look forward to collaborating closely with her and the team in the months ahead."
Martin Jennings, who is crafting the larger statue of the Queen for a new civic space called Queen Elizabeth II Place at Marlborough Gate, welcomed Ms Newman's appointment to the memorial project.
Queen Elizabeth II is Britain's most popular monarch since 1066, according to YouGov
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"I have admired Karen's work for many years and I am delighted that she will be joining the team of artists tasked with making sculptures for the memorial site," Mr Jennings said.
He added: "Her work always has great presence, being both subtle and commanding in equal measure."
Mr Jennings confirmed his depiction of the late sovereign would show her standing rather than mounted on horseback, following the sculptural tradition established for House of Windsor monarchs.
A statue of Prince Philip will be positioned near the Queen's figure at Marlborough Gate, with the Cabinet Office stating this arrangement reflects their "partnership" throughout her reign.
The complete memorial designs will be revealed in April, coinciding with what would have been the Queen's centenary.