The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries – Westminster Abbey

Book excerpt: In the biggest change to Westminster Abbey for 250 years, a new museum has been built, accessed by a spectacular new seven storey tower. The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries have been built in the roof space over the side chapels, some sixteen metres above floor level. The Galleries display 300 of the Abbey's treasures, ranging from the historic effigies of past kings and queens to the Duke of Cambridge's marriage licence. In addition, for the first time in 800 years, the public can now see spectacular views of the Abbey from the galleries. This booklet tells the story of the building of the tower and galleries. More than 70 photographs reveal some of the amazing discoveries made during the development, which culminated in the grand opening by Her Majesty the Queen in 2018.