Late monarch personally appointed Foster to Order of Merit award in 1997
Norman Foster has paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, who died yesterday at the age of 96.
The Foster & Partners founder said the monarch’s “leadership, loyalty and regal humility were faultless”.
Foster said it was a privilege to have known the monarch for the last five decades of her “remarkable” 70-year reign.
“With today’s sad news, myself, my family and my colleagues share in the grief that is felt across the nation, the Commonwealth and the wider world,” he said.
> Also read: RIBA president pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth II’s ’calm, assured presence’
Foster was appointed in 1997 to the Order of Merit, an award which is in the sole gift of the sovereign.
It is shared by a maximum of just 24 recipients, which currently include broadcaster David Attenborough, former prime minister of Australia John Howard and former prime minister of Canada Jean Chretien.
Norman Foster’s tribute to Queen Elizabeth II
“I had the privilege to know Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for the last five decades of her remarkable 70 year reign as our Monarch. During that time, myself and colleagues were honoured to welcome her on many occasions when she celebrated projects for which we had been commissioned and, on a more personal level, my greatest honour was, in 1997, to be appointed to the Order of Merit – an award which is in the sole gift of the Sovereign.
“These various privileges granted me an insight to a lady whose leadership, loyalty and regal humility were faultless, throughout her life and her reign, and endured to the end. With today’s sad news, myself, my family and my colleagues share in the grief that is felt across the nation, the Commonwealth and the wider world.”
“Lord Foster of Thames Bank OM.”
Foster’s comments join those made by RIBA president Simon Allford, who said the Queen had been a “vital constant” for the architectural profession during the turbulent years of her reign.
> Also read: The second Elizabethan age: eight decades in architecture
Make Architects founder and former Fosters partner Ken Shuttleworth said: ”It was with great sadness that I heard the news of Her Majesty’s death. I was honoured to meet her a few times, her grace and sense of humour was obvious. My thoughts and prayers are with the Royal Family and of all those at home and abroad that held her so close to their hearts.”
Simone De Gale, founder of Simone de Gale Architects, said the monarch was a “great inspiration and forever remembered. RIP”.
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