Queen Camilla beams in gorgeous blue outfit on surprise visit to Westminster Abbey
Queen Camilla appears in high spirits this morning as she pays a visit to The Westminster Abbey Sacristy Project.
Queen Camilla has arrived at The Westminster Abbey Sacristy Project this morning to view the site of The King Charles III Sacristy – a new building being constructed adjacent to the Abbey on the footprint of a medieval building.
During the visit she retraced her Coronation footsteps and recalled fond memories of the special day last May.
Her Majesty, who wore a powder blue Bruce Oldfield suit, was given a tour of where The King Charles III Sacristy will be erected and marvelled at the sight of bones found on the 13th-century burial site.
The state-of-the-art, L-shaped building will adjoin the north side of the Abbey and will house welcome, ticketing and security facilities. The work is due to be completed in 2026.
Camilla, 77, who is patron of the £13m project, appeared surprised to see so many bones and skeletons exposed during archaeological work. “Goodness me,” she said. “I thought they were bones.”
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The Queen was shown around by Ptolemy Dean, the architect behind the project, who explained that the new building was being constructed on the footprint of the mediaeval Great Sacristy, built in the 1250s during Henry III’s reconstruction of the Abbey, on what was once a burial ground.
He said there had been “several layers of burial” on the site. Among them is a well-preserved chalk-lined grave believed to belong to an 11th century monk.
“Amazing,” the Queen said. “It is quite remarkable. “I wouldn’t like to be here at night.”
The new building will allow all visitors to follow in the footsteps of Kings, Queens and royal brides by entering the Abbey via the Great West Door.
The grand entrance was used by the King and Queen as they arrived for their Coronation last May, prompting Her Majesty to reminisce about the spectacular day as she retraced her footsteps.
“Oh yes, I remember this,” she remarked as she walked through the doors. Mr Dean said later that she had chatted about her memories of the Coronation, adding: “It was quite lovely.”
Inside the church, Camilla met the staff who welcome visitors and was shown examples of the craftsmanship which will be replicated in the new Sacristy building.
A large model replica features an in-built seat, which both the Queen and Mr Dean duly tried out.
“Perfect stone seat,” Mr Dean said. “The idea of the seat actually came from your husband's foundation.”
“What a great idea,” the Queen said.
She also viewed the current visitor experience and was shown to the Jerusalem Chamber for a brief presentation about the project, including a video depicting the eventual visitor experience.
The new building has been designed to sit discreetly in front of the much larger elevation of the Abbey which tours above it.
It will use materials including English stone, oak and lead to ensure it is in keeping with the Abbey’s gothic architecture and reflects the history of the original Sacristy.
