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Adult Learning

This spring we celebrate the new re-presentation of the Crown Jewels. Drawing out the symbolism of the royal regalia, the exhibition gives a 21st-century home for this unique working collection. Joined by several well-known speakers, we will explore the role of contemporary monarchy and the fascinating history of diamonds and gems in the Royal Collection.

The White Tower

Programme of events 2012

Click on events for further information and booking.

  • The Jewel in the Crown
  • The Crown Jewels Tour - SOLD OUT
  • The Diamond Queen: Elizabeth II and Her People - SOLD OUT
  • Experience the Art of Gilding - SOLD OUT
  • Crowning Glory - SOLD OUT
  • Romancing the Stone



    The Jewel in the Crown
    Evening Lecture
    With Harbinder Singh and Sally Dixon-Smith, HRP Collections Curator

    Date        Wednesday 25 April
    Time       6.30pm - 8pm
    Cost        £12 / £10 HRP members

    Join Harbinder Singh from the Anglo-Sikh Heritage Trail and HRP Curator Sally Dixon-Smith as they explore the significance of the Koh-i-Nûr diamond. Harbinder will discuss the diamond’s place in Indian history, specifically focusing on the Sikh rulers, whilst Sally will talk about the current position of the stone within the Crown Jewels.

    Steeped in myth and superstition, the Koh-i-Nûr or ‘Mountain of Light’, is one of the most famous diamonds in the world. Originating in the famed mines of the Deccan, India, its legendary history extends over 5,000 years. Like many other great jewels, the diamond changed hands following the holders of power, belonging to Hindu, Mughal, Turkic, Afghan and Sikh rulers, the last of whom was Maharajah Ranjit Singh. It came to England in the 19th century at the end of the Anglo-Sikh Wars, and was presented to Queen Victoria.

    This event includes a drinks reception.

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    The Crown Jewels Tour - SOLD OUT
    Evening Tour
    With Sebastian Edwards, HRP Head of Works of Art

    Date        Thursday 3 May
    Time        6.30pm - 8pm
    Cost         £12 / £10 HRP members

    In this exclusive evening tour of the new re-presentation of the Crown Jewels, Sebastian Edwards will explore the importance of the Crown Jewels to the British monarchy, the role of the Tower in protecting these treasures and the long and fascinating tradition of coronations in England.

    The Crown Jewels are the most powerful symbols of the British Monarchy and hold deep religious and cultural significance in our nation’s history. For over 300 years the Tower of London has housed the crowns and ceremonial regalia of the Kings and Queens of Great Britain. The new re-presentation of the Crown Jewels focuses on the significance of the Coronation ceremony, examining how the items of the royal regalia are used and exploring the symbolism of these objects, underlining how ancient royal authority is passed to each new monarch. The new display also places a new emphasis on the unique quality of this as a working collection of jewels, alongside the legends and stories behind these extraordinary objects that reach back to ancient times.

    This event includes a drinks reception.

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    The Diamond Queen: Elizabeth II and Her People - SOLD OUT
    Evening Lecture
    With Andrew Marr and Sally Dixon-Smith, HRP Collections Curator

    Date        Thursday 24 May
    Time        6.30pm - 8pm
    Cost         £12 / £10 HRP members

    The English Monarchy is an ancient institution, dating back around 1,200 years. Today, England is the only European country where the monarch is still crowned according to an ancient coronation rite. In this insightful talk, distinguished journalist and political commentator Andrew Marr will explore how the Queen has fashioned this historic role within contemporary society. Dissecting the Queen’s political relationships, Andrew Marr will examine her crucial role as Head of State and as Head of the Commonwealth, and her deep commitment to that Commonwealth of Nations. Most particularly, however, he will chart the drastic changes in the media since the Queen’s accession in 1952 and how the monarchy and the monarch have had to change and adapt as a result. Indeed, he argues that under the Queen’s watchful eye, the monarchy has been thoroughly modernized and made fit for purpose in the 21st century.

    The talk will be followed by a Q&A session, chaired by HRP curator Sally Dixon-Smith.

    This event includes a drinks reception.

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    Experience the Art of Gilding - SOLD OUT
    Talk, Tour and Workshop
    With Jamie McCarthy

    Date        Thursday 31 May
    Time       10am – 4pm
    Cost        £65 / £60 HRP members

    In contrast with the Tower’s reputation as a place of brutality and torture, this workshop reveals a Tower of ostentation, elaborate decoration and ‘bling’ in the form of gilding. Gilding is the ancient decorative art of taking precious metal beaten into thin sheets known as gold leaf and applying it to solid surfaces to give them a coating of gold. Gilding using gold leaf is an important traditional craft skill at the Tower, used to great effect on wrought iron and interior decorative features. Throughout history, gilding has been associated with spirituality to symbolise divinity and religious devotion, and used to cultivate the royal image of kings and queens.

    Throughout the day, you will see examples of gilding and gain experience of working with loose gold leaf, which you will apply to your own object through oil-based gilding.

    Working with gold leaf is notoriously fiddly — the slightest breeze can blow the thinner-than-tissue material into tatters. Under the careful hand of Jamie, you will learn many tricks for working with gold leaf — including breathing.

    This workshop includes light refreshments and entry to the Tower of London.

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    Crowning Glory - SOLD OUT
    Creative Workshop
    With milliner Ani Townsend

    Date        Saturday 16 June
    Time       10.30am – 4.30pm
    Cost        £65 / £60 HRP members

    Encrusted in jewels, lined with velvet and trimmed with ermine, the British royal crowns are the most opulent headdresses. However, despite their grandeur, crowns were personalised to the tastes of their wearers. Queen Victoria wore a tiny diamond crown atop her widow’s veil, whilst Queen Alexandra preferred the flexibility of wearing hers as a crown or a circlet, and Queen Adelaide, who objected to borrowing diamonds, had her own jewellery re-set instead.

    Taking inspiration from these regal creations, you will make your own unique fascinator or headpiece. Under the guidance of milliner Ani Townsend, you will learn basic hand sewing techniques, wiring, reusing broken jewellery and shaping sinemay.

    Theatrical milliner Ani Townsend specialises in period and unusual millinery. Long standing resident milliner at Welsh National Opera, she also works in film and creates fashion pieces and commissions.

    No previous experience is necessary and all materials will be provided.

    This event includes light refreshments and entry to the Tower of London.

    To book, click here. 

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    Romancing the Stone
    Evening Lecture
    With John C. Benjamin and Sally Dixon-Smith, HRP Collections Curator

    Date        Thursday 21 June
    Time        6.30pm - 8pm
    Cost         £12 / £10 HRP members

    Diamonds, the jewel above all others, have fascinated mankind from the earliest times. However, few can claim to be able to identify a true diamond, its cut or quality.

    John Benjamin, independent jewellery consultant and long standing specialist for BBC Television’s 'Antiques Roadshow', will explain how to identify a top quality diamond, and explore the craftsmanship and design that makes diamonds so special. John will trace how man has mastered the technique of cutting and polishing the hardest substance on earth. Explaining how diamonds today are identified and assessed, John will also explore the role of laboratories and the potential repercussions of imitations and synthetics. Finally, the impact of jewellery design will be explored, alongside discussion of fancy diamonds and famous diamonds, some of which can be seen in the Crown Jewels.

    This talk will be followed by a Q&A chaired by Sally Dixon-Smith, exploring diamonds in more depth and the history of some of the gems in the Crown Jewels.

    This event includes a drinks reception.

    To book, click here. 

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    • New  Current programme

    Spring Adult Learning Brochure (PDF 6MB) >


    Past programmes 

    Autumn Adult Learning Brochure  (PDF 1.8MB) >

    Summer Adult Learning Brochure (PDF 2.5MB) >

    Booking Information

    For full details on booking events at all palaces, click here.

    Please note, if you want to book for more than one event in the same transaction, please call Historic Royal Palaces booking line on 0844 482 7799. There is a £2 transaction charge for all bookings made through the booking line.

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