The King and Queen reopen transformed Sainsbury Wing on coronation anniversary

Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla visited the National Gallery to officially reopen the Sainsbury Wing, celebrating the completion of its extensive two-year transformation. The occasion held extra significance as it marked the second anniversary of their Coronation, with King Charles III, the Royal Patron of the National Gallery, at the helm. The Sainsbury Wing, now revitalised with sensitive updates to its façade, foyer, and mezzanine, offers a more welcoming first impression to the millions of visitors who pass through its doors each year. The refreshed wing reopens to the public this Saturday, 10 May 2025, as part of the Gallery’s grand 200th birthday celebrations – and this is after someone sleeps in the new bit after winning a competition! During the visit, Their Majesties observed a special inscription marking their visit carved into the stone beneath the staircase of the Sainsbury Wing. This new addition sits underneath the original 1991 inscription commemorating the wing’s opening by Queen Elizabeth II. The royal couple also had the opportunity to tour C C Land: The Wonder of Art, a remarkable once-in-a-generation rehang of 1,000 works from the National Gallery collection. Spanning seven centuries of Western European art, the exhibition includes masterpieces like Mantegna’s Triumphs of Caesar on loan from the Royal Collection, which Their Majesties viewed alongside young participants from the Gallery’s Articulation program. Central Hall showcased another highlight of the day – the unveiling of the Coronation State Portraits by artists Peter Kuhfeld and Paul S. Benney, depicting Their Majesties in regal poise. On… Read More