Royal family releases touching images from Westminster Abbey ceremony honouring the King
Queen Camilla appeared visibly moved as she unveiled the foundation stone for the future King Charles III Sacristy at Westminster Abbey, marking a significant milestone in the historic abbey’s continued evolution.
Speaking at the ceremony on Wednesday, the 77-year-old Queen, who serves as patron of the new sacristy, expressed her heartfelt joy:
“I just want to say how delighted I am to unveil this foundation stone. I can’t believe the last time I was here – there’s now a floor – the last time I came here there were quite a lot of skeletons. I just hope that in 2026, when it’s due to finish, God willing my husband and I will be back here again to open the King Charles III Sacristy.”
The royal family shared a series of warm photos from the event on Instagram, showing Queen Camilla laying the stone and reflecting on the building’s significance in honour of King Charles.
Once complete, the £13 million sacristy will provide modern facilities for welcoming, ticketing, and security, enabling visitors to enter the Abbey through the iconic Great West Door — traditionally reserved for royalty at state occasions such as coronations, royal weddings, and funerals.
The project follows archaeological excavations on the site in 2020 and is now well under way. The building is designed by Ptolemy Dean, the Abbey’s Surveyor of the Fabric, and will be constructed using traditional English materials such as stone, oak, and lead to complement the surrounding architecture.
Located adjacent to the historic Abbey, the new sacristy continues a centuries-long tradition of royal stewardship. The abbey itself dates back to the reign of Edward the Confessor, who began its construction in the 11th century, with significant rebuilding by Henry III during the 13th century.
Queen Camilla’s emotional words and presence at the ceremony underscored not only the personal significance of the project for the monarch and his consort, but also the enduring connection between the British royal family and the nation’s spiritual heart.
