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 display until 5 June, these portraits will later be relocated to the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace.
Concluding their visit, Their Majesties explored the brand-new Roden Centre for Creative Learning, one of the largest dedicated gallery learning spaces in the UK, designed to inspire creativity and engagement with art.
National Gallery Director Sir Gabriele Finaldi said, “We were delighted to welcome our Royal Patron, His Majesty the King, and Queen Camilla, to reopen the Sainsbury Wing and to view the new displays on this special day. It’s a privilege to host the Coronation State Portraits and offer our visitors the first chance to see these magnificent works.”
The Sainsbury Wing’s reopening, accompanied by the ambitious C C Land exhibition and Coronation Portraits, heralds a new chapter for the National Gallery, ensuring both its breathtaking art and its renewed vision will captivate visitors for generations to come.