Historic Royal Palaces | new Crown Jewels exhibition

Historic Royal Palace’s new Crown Jewels exhibition at the Tower of London has been created to tell more tales than ever before about the history and significance of the country’s most magnificent treasures.

The exhibition opened in May 2023, and has welcomed thousands of visitors each day, from all across the world. The project marks the first significant change to the Jewel House since Historic Royal Palaces, the non-profit that cares for the Tower of London, worked with RAA to re-display the Crown Jewels in 2012.

With over 100 objects and 23,300 gemstones, the priceless collection holds immeasurable cultural, historical and symbolic value. This exhibition tells the story of the Crown Jewels and their ongoing significance to the monarchy and people all around the globe.

Presenting a rich history

Ralph Appelbaum Associates (RAA), a multidisciplinary firm specialising in the planning and design of museums, exhibits, educational environments and visitor attractions, was appointed to design the new exhibition by Historic Royal Palaces (HRP). The firm’s creative concept reflects the exhibition’s theme of the timeless qualities of royalty and coronation ceremonies.

Dominique Driver, project sponsor, Historic Royal Palaces, says: “We were delighted to work collaboratively with RAA on this exciting project in our Jewel House, which presents the rich history of this magnificent collection in more depth and detail than ever before. RAA’s innovative and elegant design has brought our vision for the new exhibition to life and helped transform the visitor experience. We hope our new exhibition will resonate with visitors from all over the world.”

The coronation ceremony has been a tradition for nearly 1000 years and represents the transition of power from one monarch to the next. The Crown Jewels are at the centre of this ceremony. The exhibition, divided into four emotive chapters, captures the everlasting beauty and significance of the coronation ceremony and the Crown Jewels.

Vassiliki Holeva, project leader, RAA, comments: “It has been an immense honour to lead the exhibition design of the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London, a project of such cultural significance that will be experienced by visitors worldwide.

“Collaborating with dedicated and talented individuals at HRP has made this journey truly enjoyable. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic and the passing of a Monarch, our goal was to deliver a timeless design that unravels the complex stories behind the Jewels and celebrates Coronation rituals. I will forever treasure the experience of working at this enchanting site.”

Immersive experience

Visitors to the Crown Jewels exhibition will encounter the narrative in the following four chapters:

Chapter 1 / Monarch.

The Crown Jewels story opens with the State Crown, which the monarch wears as they depart Westminster Abbey following their coronation. This object, with its ageless and enduring symbolism, provides a clear connection between past and present monarchs.

Visitors first encounter a stunning display of crown frames, which seem to stretch into infinity as they are reflected in carefully positioned mirrors. Ambient audiovisuals depicting kings and queens throughout history emphasise the monarchy’s continuity and enduring nature of the Crown Jewels.

Chapter 2 / Origin.

Visitors will then discover three stories from the jewels’ history: the Koh-i-Noor; the Cullinan Diamond; and the destruction and remaking of the Crown Jewels after the
execution of King Charles I.

Setworks evoke the Tower of London’s iconic turrets, and the architectural arches behind the exhibits are activated with evocative audiovisual media that offers further information about the jewels. The artefacts in focus serve as the starting and finishing points of these stories, enabling guests to draw connections between them and the items they will soon see in the Treasury.

Chapter 3 / Procession.

The coronation procession is examined in the third chapter as a representation of the relationship between the people and the monarch.

Objects are presented in a procession-like display across the space, each sharing a story of joyful celebration. The accompanying audiovisual media is drawn from archive footage of historical coronations, including Queen Elizabeth II‘s 1953 coronation, to replicate the triumphant spirit of the event. The sets are modelled after Queen Elizabeth I’s coronation carriage top design.

Chapter 4 / Ceremony.

In the fourth chapter, guests will leave the crowd and follow the monarch to their crowning. The meaning of the royal regalia will be revealed as visitors proceed down a hallway, representing the process of the monarch receiving these items, and the responsibilities which they symbolise, at Westminster Abbey.

Setworks that elegantly resemble the vaulted ceilings of Westminster Abbey guide guests around the area and evoke the famous London location. Media showcasing important coronation relics held in the Treasury, such as St. Edward’s Crown and the Sovereign’s Orb, accompany guests through the space. Printed graphics display quotations associated with the objects and are visible throughout. 

The story culminates with the exquisite Crown Jewels being revealed to guests in the Treasury. The Crown Jewels, which are shown in the order that they are used in a coronation, represent the significance of ceremony.

Ceremonies past, present and future, ranging from baptisms to marriages, are reflected in these amazing artefacts, which demonstrate shifting trends and their ongoing use as a functional collection.

Creative partnership

RAA’s scope of work included comprehensive exhibition design services including interpretive planning, exhibition design, content coordination, conceptualisation of media and interactives, graphic design and artworking, contract administration and oversight of fabrication and installation.

John Blanchard, director of 3D design, RAA’s London studio, concludes: “Being selected for a second time by Historic Royal Palaces as the creative partners for the Crown Jewels exhibition was deeply gratifying, allowing us to further expand on our past achievements.

“The trust bestowed upon us to work closely with the client team in reshaping and presenting the stories behind our nation’s most remarkable and cherished artefacts was an incredibly profound experience, one that forged an even deeper bond with this project. We hope that the exhibition realises its full potential, captivating and inspiring visitors from home and across the globe.”

The full project team included:
Carden & Godfrey (Architectural advice and CDM Principal Designer)
Michael Grubb Studios (Lighting design)
Factory Settings (Contractors)
Squint-Opera (AV Software)
Coda-to-Coda (Audio)
Blue Elephant (AV Hardware)
Omni (Graphic Fabricators)
Displayways (Graphic Fabricators)
Meyvaert (Showcase Manufacturers)
Sykes (Base-build contractors)
Colin Bowles (Mounts)
Loz Simpson (Tactiles)
MASS concrete (GRC panel fabricators)
Photographs by Andrew Lee

Ralph Appelbaum Associates (RAA) recently celebrated the first anniversary of the opening of Battersea Power Station’s chimney lift experience, Lift 109. The attraction launched in November 2022 and has since ascended the building’s northwest chimney almost 20,000 times.

All images kind courtesy of RAA / Andrew Lee