Union Terrace Gardens could be renamed to commemorate the life of the late Queen.
The Press And Journal can exclusively reveal plans are in motion to potentially rebrand the sunken Victorian park in her honour.
Calls are being made for council officials to look at renaming Union Terrace Gardens (UTG) the Queen Elizabeth II Gardens in time for their formal opening.
They are currently undergoing a £30 million facelift.
Conservative councillors have lodged the plans in “tribute to 70 years of unblemished service to our nation”.
They also want to extend an invitation to Buckingham Palace for 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 final respects to the late monarch.
Her cortege passed through the city en route from Balmoral Castle to Edinburgh on September 11.
Queen Elizabeth II had died at her beloved Royal Deeside estate three days prior.
The journey through Aberdeen was the first part of a journey allowing hundreds of thousands to pay their respects before her state funeral.
Now, the minority Conservative council group hopes there is the same widespread support for their idea.
Leader Ryan Houghton told us: “Aberdeen came together as one as our late Queen’s cortege made its way to its final resting place.
“And again, we came together in solemnity for the funeral.
“Her late Majesty’s relationship with the city of Aberdeen is one that should be commemorated and honoured.
“Renaming the gardens after the redevelopment is completed will serve as a lasting tribute in the heart of our city centre.”
Union Terrace Gardens named in honour of formation of the United Kingdom
The gardens take their name from the Acts of Union 1800, which brought together Great Britain and Ireland as the United Kingdom.
First opened in 1879, it is hoped the new look UTG will be “practically completed” by the end of 2022.
Delays have beset the work, which was hoped to cost £1.5m less and to be finished in summer 2019.
The coronavirus pandemic, supply chain issues and the war in Ukraine have been blamed, among other factors.
Now, the new plaza in 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 boasts royal links. At the Union Street end sits a statue of Queen Elizabeth II’s great grandfather, King Edward VII.
At the other end of Union Terrace sits his father, Albert, Prince Consort to Queen Victoria.
Renaming the gardens could celebrate Scotland’s Elizabethan era, one where 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 were of the Victorian age. The refurbishment will bring the gardens respectfully into the 21st century with better accessibility.
“We hope this will be a measure the whole council can support.”
Having submitted a motion with officials, the Conservatives hope the renaming will be debated at next month’s full council meeting.
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