Private View of the Crown Jewels and tour of the Jewel House
The Crown Jewels stand as a potent symbol of Britain's enduring monarchy. The Crown Jewels, which are part of the Royal Collection, are displayed to millions of visitors every year, guarded by Yeomen Warders ('Beefeaters') in the Tower of London.
Gloriously ornate and intricately made, they have inspired acts of greed, violence and even spawned stories of evil curses.
The Jewel House at the Tower has been used for the secure storage of the Crown Jewels, since the early 14th century, when Westminster Abbey was found to be unsafe. Although attempts have been made to steal them from the Tower, notably by Colonel Blood in 1671, none have succeeded. The present display of the Crown Jewels was opened by Her Majesty The Queen in 1994.
From 1st April, the Tower unveils a re-presented Jewel House to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. The collection will be redisplayed, relit and the stories of the significance of these unique items of royal regalia will be told showing them in their context of a thousand years of royal history. Prince's Foundation Members are invited to a Private View at the Jewel House in April 2012, drinks and canapés will be served.