Crown and Coronation runs from 17 – 25 November 2023
The splendour of Coronations and the Crown Jewels will be brought to life like never before in a new immersive light show launching at the Tower of London this November. Crown and Coronation has been created by Historic Royal Palaces – the charity that cares for the Tower of London - in partnership with Luxmuralis – as part of an artistic collaboration between artist Peter Walker and composer David Harper. It will bring the spectacle, significance and shared experience of Coronations to life, demonstrating the pivotal role of the Crown Jewels, part of the Royal Collection, within the ceremony. Following a nine-day run at the iconic fortress, the show will embark on a UK wide tour, taking the story of the Crown Jewels across the country to be enjoyed at some of the most famous landmarks and locations.
The show will feature stunning imagery spanning across the centuries. Visitors will journey through more than 1000 years of history, encompassing the reigns of some of the most famous English monarchs including William the Conqueror, Elizabeth I, and Queen Victoria. Just like medieval and Tudor rulers, visitors will be swept up in the spectacle of the coronation procession and transported from the Tower of London to Westminster Abbey – where coronations have taken place since 1066.
Visitors will have the chance to marvel at detailed footage of the Crown Jewels, the objects at the very heart of the coronation ceremony, projected onto the famous White Tower. Following this, visitors will be granted special access to see the Crown Jewels themselves after hours, without the usual crowds.
In 2024, the light show will embark on a UK-wide tour, sharing this remarkable collection with more people than ever before. For those who can’t visit the Crown Jewels in person, they can now experience these awe-inspiring objects via stunning images and a dramatic soundscape, projected at iconic landmarks and locations such as Exeter Cathedral (9 – 13 January), Carlisle Castle and Cathedral (15 – 17 February), Winchester Cathedral (5 – 9 March) and Canterbury Cathedral (24 – 28 September).
The light show launches just months after the world witnessed the Crown Jewels in use at a Coronation for the first time in 70 years. Earlier this year, Historic Royal Palaces unveiled a transformed Jewel House, exploring more stories than ever before about the history and significance of the collection. The Tower has been home to the collection for nearly 400 years
and the Crown Jewels were returned back on display following their use in the 6 May ceremony. Charles Farris, Public Historian for the History of the Monarchy at Historic Royal Palaces, said, “The Crown Jewels hold deep religious, historic, and cultural significance, and we are really excited to be bringing this magnificent collection to people around the UK in this historic coronation year. Through spectacular imagery projected throughout the historic inner ward of the Tower of London, and an emotive soundscape, Crown and Coronation will immerse visitors in the rich history of the British monarchy, Coronations, and the Crown Jewels. After a highly anticipated run at the Tower of London we look forward to taking the show on tour around some of the most iconic buildings in the UK in 2024.”
Peter Walker, Sculptor and Artist at Luxmuralis, said, “We are delighted to be working with Historic Royal Palaces on this spectacular light show, which will transform one of the world’s most remarkable buildings into an articulating and evolving display of historic images, awash with light and accompanied by compositions which chart changes to music over the period.
“The Tower of London has been the setting for almost 1000 years of historic moments, but for the very first time it will also become the canvas upon which that history and heritage is portrayed. It is equally important that we then take this work around the country, and we are delighted to be re-curating the artwork for some of the UK’s most remarkable locations.”
The re-presentation of the Jewel House at HM Tower of London, in the Coronation year of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla, was made possible through a partnership between Historic Royal Palaces and Garrard.
Notes to editors
For further information and images please contact the Historic Royal Palaces Press Office via press@hrp.org.uk / 020 3166 6166
Crown and Coronation tickets: Adults: £19.50 / Children: £12.50 / Members get a 10% discount
UK Tour Dates 2024
Exeter Cathedral, 9 – 13 January 2024
Carlisle Castle and Cathedral, 15 – 17 February 2024
Winchester Cathedral, 5 - 9 March 2024
Canterbury Cathedral, 24 – 28 September 2024.
The UK tour is set to continue throughout 2024 and 2025, with further venues to be announced.
Historic Royal Palaces is a team of people who love and look after six of the most wonderful palaces in the world. We create space for spirits to stir and be stirred. We want everyone to feel welcome and accepted. We tell stories about the monarchs you know and the
lives you don’t. We let people explore and we set minds racing. We are a charity and your support gives the palaces a future, for everyone.
Registered charity number 1068852. For more information visit www.hrp.org.uk
About Luxmuralis
Luxmuralis is an artistic collaboration between Artist and Sculptor Peter Walker and Composer David Harper. Together through fine art, sound and light they transform and reinterpret the sense of place in unique spaces both in the UK and abroad; creatively helping an audience to take a physical and emotional journey to identify with subjects and message of the artworks created through the Son-et-Lumiere and sculptural installations. Luxmuralis spectacular sound and light shows have been seen in a wide variety of places taking art onto the streets and to unique places. Recently seen at Westminster Abbey; Chatsworth House; St Pauls Minneapolis; Limburg Dom; Oxford City museums; and Cathedrals all around the UK.
www.luxmuralis.com @Luxmuralis
The Royal Collection is among the largest and most important art collections in the world, and one of the last great European royal collections to remain intact. It comprises almost all aspects of the fine and decorative arts, and is spread among some 15 royal residences and former residences across the UK, most of which are regularly open to the public. The Royal Collection is held in trust by the Sovereign for his successors and the nation, and is not owned by The King as a private individual. Royal Collection Trust, a department of the Royal Household, is responsible for the care of the Royal Collection and manages the public opening of the official residences of The King.
About Garrard
Set in the heart of London since 1735, Garrard’s royal legacy lives on in its exceptional handcrafted jewels.
Since being appointed the first official Crown Jeweller in 1843, Garrard has proudly played its part in British royal history, creating jewels that have captured imaginations throughout the world. From the legendary setting of the Cullinan I diamond, the world’s largest cut and colourless diamond, to glittering tiaras worn at state occasions and Princess Diana’s iconic engagement ring, Garrard has crafted some of the most famous jewels of all time.
After almost 300 years, the House’s industry-leading designers, gemmologists and craftspeople continue to be entrusted with extraordinary new designs for royalty and private clients, alongside the exquisite jewels in Garrard’s collections, each of which bears the quintessential British hallmarks of heritage and handcraftsmanship.
With its future continuing to unfold, great jewellery traditions are being written anew at Garrard in designs that move the heart and empower the soul – now, and forever.