Union Terrace Gardens could be renamed to commemorate the late Queen’s life.
The Press And Journal can exclusively reveal that plans are afoot to possibly rename the sunken Victorian park in her honor.
Council officials are urged to consider renaming Union Terrace Gardens (UTG) as Queen Elizabeth II Gardens well in advance of their official opening.
They are currently undergoing a £30million facelift.
Conservative councilors submitted the plans as a “homage to 70 years of impeccable service to our nation.”
They also want to invite Buckingham Palace to a royal opening of the gardens in 2023.
Aberdonians came out in their thousands to bid farewell to Queen Elizabeth II
Thousands lined the streets of Aberdeen earlier this month to pay their last respects to the late monarch.
Her entourage passed through the city on 9/11 en route from Balmoral Castle to Edinburgh.
Queen Elizabeth II had died three days earlier at her beloved Royal Deeside estate.
The journey through Aberdeen was the first part of a journey that allowed hundreds of thousands to pay their respects before their state funeral.
Now the conservative minority council faction is hoping for the same broad support for their idea.
Leader Ryan Houghton told us: “Aberdeen came together as our late Queen’s baggage train made its way to her final resting place.
“And again we came together solemnly for the funeral.
“Her late Majesty’s relationship with the City of Aberdeen should be honored and appreciated.
“The renaming of the gardens upon completion of the redevelopment will serve as an enduring tribute in the heart of our downtown.”
Union Terrace Gardens named in honor of the founding of the United Kingdom
The gardens take their name from the Acts of Union 1800 which united Great Britain and Ireland as the United Kingdom.
First opened in 1879, it is hoped that the UTG’s new look will be “virtually complete” by the end of 2022.
Delays have plagued the work, which will cost £1.5million less and was due to be completed in summer 2019.
The reasons for this include the coronavirus pandemic, supply chain problems and the war in Ukraine.
Now the new plaza at Rosemount Viaduct has opened along with the first of three new tram-inspired commercial pavilions.
Queen Elizabeth II Gardens would be in right royal company
UTG already has royal links. At the end of Union Street stands a statue of Queen Elizabeth II’s great-grandfather, King Edward VII.
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At the other end of Union Terrace sits his father Albert, Prince Consort of Queen Victoria.
The renaming of the gardens could celebrate Scotland’s Elizabethan era, when Aberdeen enjoyed many royal visits while the Queen holidayed nearby.
Mr Houghton, whose Conservative group was in power when UTG work began, added: “Union Terrace Gardens dated from the Victorian era. The renovation will respectfully bring the gardens into the 21st century with greater accessibility.
“We hope this is a measure that the whole Council can support.”
After submitting a motion to officials, the Conservatives hope the renaming will be discussed at next month’s full council meeting.
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[Could Aberdeen’s UTG be renamed Queen Elizabeth II Gardens?]
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