20,000 See The Queen Unveil Merchant Navy Memorial -- The scene at the unveiling ceremony. The Tower of London and Tower Bridge are seen in background. About 20,000 people saw the Queen, who was accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, unveil the Merchant Navy Memorial on Tower Hill, London. to-day (Saturday). She was accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh. The memorial, built by the Imperial War Graves Commission to the design of Sir Edward Maufe, RA, honours 24,000 officers and men of the Merchan