One of London’s best-kept secrets will reopen to the public this summer with a brand-new visitor experience, bringing 400 years of history, art and architecture to life. Home to the magnificent Rubens ceiling, the Banqueting House is last complete piece of the lost royal Palace of Whitehall, most of which perished to fire in 1698.
A hidden masterpiece revealed
From 1 August – 20 September, visitors will be invited to rediscover the unique stories of the lost royal Palace of Whitehall. Visitors will be taken on a journey through the dramatic history of the Banqueting House, uncovering how the monarchy was shaped, destroyed and reborn within its walls.
In the grand space of the Banqueting Hall, visitors are invited to recline beneath the stunning painted ceiling, the only artwork by Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens to still be displayed in the original space for which it was created. With comfortable beanbags and cushioned benches, the hall is a serene space away from the hustle and bustle of Whitehall, where visitors can immerse themselves in the grandeur of Rubens’ artistic masterpiece and the intrigue of this hidden part of London’s history.
Visitors will be able to explore the stories of revolution, restoration and revelry through specially curated digital content, including podcasts and playlists designed to enrich the experience. Expert Palace Hosts will also be on hand to share insights into the building’s architecture, history and artistic significance.
On 15-16 August, BBC Radio 3 presenter Georgia Mann and sound engineer Rob Winter will bring their Classical DJ project to the Banqueting House, creating a rich soundtrack inspired by the drama of the Stuart court and the splendour of Rubens’ ceiling.
Bringing new life to the Banqueting House
This reopening follows a major project by Historic Royal Palaces, the independent charity that cares for the Banqueting House, to transform the building, upgrading its facilities and carrying out essential improvement works to preserve this historic space for years to come. The project involved the installation of a new passenger lift, offering step-free access to the Banqueting Hall and Rubens’ breathtaking ceiling.
The last piece of the lost Palace of Whitehall
The Banqueting House has witnessed dramatic moments in history, including the execution of King Charles I. Originally created as a space to stage entertainments and completed in 1622 as part of the Palace of Whitehall, the Banqueting House is a masterpiece of classical architecture designed by Inigo Jones for James I. It was intended to host extravagant performances known as ‘masques’, but was later used for diplomatic meetings and to stage the ritual touching carried out by historic English monarchs to heal ‘the King’s Evil’.
In 1630, King Charles I commissioned Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens to create a painting on the ceiling. This magnificent artwork is a collection of nine paintings glorifying the achievements of Charles I’s father, King James I, a testament to royal power and the divine right of kings. The painting was installed in 1636, and just 13 years later, Charles I was led beneath the very ceiling he had commissioned to his execution on a scaffold outside the Banqueting House.
Most of the Palace of Whitehall, the principal residence for the Tudor and Stuart monarchies, perished to a fire in 1698, leaving the Banqueting House as the sole complete survivor of the lost royal palace. Over the centuries, the building served a number of different purposes, from a chapel to a museum, and now stands as an events venue and visitor attraction.