On 29 April 2002 The British Memorial Garden Project, spear headed by St. Georges board member Camilla Hellman and British Consulate-General in New York, was announced open at Hanover Square, New York City, by HRH The Princess Royal.

The New York City Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe was presented by Her Royal Highness with a box of seeds from plants at Hampton Court Palace in England.

The Princess Royal spoke about the strong bonds between the UK and New York and that the Garden would memorialise British soldiers who died alongside their American comrades in major conflicts including the most recent conflict in Iraq; and commemorate the more than 60 British nationals and 20 others killed in the attacks on September 11.

After her speech, the Princess Royal went on to meet a number of guests and receive a painting on vellum by Jessica Tcherepnine, a New York-based British artist, on behalf of the Friends of the British Memorial Garden.

In late January 2003, a number of British landscape artists were asked to submit designs for the garden, of which a short list was selected. Two of these were selected and eventually the Bannerman plan was selected. The project is due for completion in June 2004.

For further details about the British Memorial Garden Project and the Bannerman plan, click here.