VIRTUALLY THERE: Historic Royal Palace’s crowning glory

Lucy Worsley has become one of the most recognizable faces on TV’s documentary channels in recent years, taking BBC and international viewers into the corridors of history in palaces from Hampton Court to the Kremlin and telling compelling stories of historical figures from the Tudors to the Romanovs. But her day job is joint co-curator for Historic Royal Palaces, the charity that manages most of Britain’s best-loved, um, historic royal palaces.

With HRP suffering from a loss of revenues during the pandemic (closures and fewer visitors) and a projected £100-million shortfall for 2020 alone, the organization recently launched a creative fund-raising concept that pairs Worsley’s rising profile and insider access to Britain’s most famous monuments with other experts for a series of engaging online discussions on the some of the most celebrated aspects of UK history.

The next online talk in the ongoing series, “Coronations,” takes place tomorrow – Nov. 18 – at 2 p.m. EST (7 p.m. GMT). The session is free, but HPR suggests a donation of £10 or “whatever you can afford.”

“Coronations” features the vivacious Worsley, along with public historian Charles Farris and the Tower of London’s Chief Exhibitor, Nivek Amichund, for a discussion exploring the colourful history and symbolic rituals of royal coronations through the centuries.

Tower of London, © VisitBritain/ Historic Royal Palaces

The one-hour online talk takes place at the Tower – home of Crown Jewels and central player in some of Britain’s most momentous coronations – with all the pomp, pageantry, and spectacle that they entail. Participants will get a glimpse of some of the magnificent coronation robes that have been worn throughout history – now housed in Historic Royal Palace’s Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection – including those worn by George IV.

Besides the Tower of London, HRP manages Hampton Court Palace, the Banqueting House, Kensington Palace, Kew Palace and Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, with a mandate to help explore the story of how monarchs and people have shaped society, in some of the greatest palaces ever built. The self-funded charity depends on the support of visitors, members, donors, sponsors and volunteers.

Register for “Coronations” HERE.