New Crown Jewels exhibition to open for the Queen’s Jubilee

Friday, 16 March 2012 11:05 AM

A new exhibition of the Crown Jewels is to go on display on March 29 2012 at the Tower of London, to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

The Jewel House has undergone a total redesign to give the Crown Jewels a home fit for the 21st century. The new introductory exhibition will feature thought provoking graphics, music and film footage, enabling visitors to discover the importance of the Crown Jewels to the British Monarchy, the role of the Tower and the long tradition of coronations in England.

The display will focus on the coronation ceremony as its central theme and examine how the regalia are used during the ceremony, and explore the symbolism of each object. Newly restored film footage of Her Majesty the Queen’s coronation in 1953 will also be shown.

Visitors will have an enhanced experience with improved lighting, tactile three-dimensional models for the visually impaired and a lift offering access to a raised viewing platform.

The Crown Jewels are the most powerful symbols of the British Monarchy and hold deep religious and cultural significance in our nation’s history; they contain some of the most extraordinary diamonds in the world, attracting around 2.5 million visitors from around the world every year.

Michael Day, Chief Executive of Historic Royal Palaces, said: “We are incredibly proud to unveil this new presentation of the world’s premier collection of diamonds and precious jewels. The Crown Jewels, renowned for their beauty and historical significance, capture the imagination of visitors worldwide. This new display, generously supported by Forevermark, gives them a home fit for the 21st century. With all eyes on London in 2012 for The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic Games, this display will enable us to showcase Britain’s most prized treasures in all their glory.”