Welcoming the Queen鈥檚 Tower back to Imperial life
by Press Office
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On 21 April, the Queen鈥檚 Tower was officially reopened following a multi-year restoration project.
The project, which began in October 2022, saw the full restoration of the <90 metre Grade II listed Tower, including extensive stonemasonry and the complete replacement of the original copper dome.
Learn about the restoration in detail
The date (21 April) was chosen because it coincided with the centenary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth, the great great granddaughter of Queen Victoria, after whom the Tower was named.
To mark the occasion, a small group of guests were welcomed to the Queen’s Tower Rooms to learn more about the history of the Tower and its significance, and to witness a bell ringing ceremony.
Following this, the group was welcomed to the Tower’s foyer and lower balcony to see the work up close, and enjoyed a menu of canapes designed for the event by the Taste Imperial team, making use of the special Queen’s Tower Sourdough, the starter of which was germinated in the bell tower itself!
Provost Peter Haynes and Archivist Anne Barrett then gave speeches to guests within the Tower’s foyer, before unveiling a new plaque to acknowledge the completion of the restoration project.
In addition to the ceremony, a series of ‘Tours of the Tower’ were carried out throughout the day, seeing the winners of a university-wide raffle given the opportunity to ascend the structure.
The day was a fitting way to mark a milestone moment for a Tower which has sat at the centre of Imperial life since its inception.
Celebrating at the Queen's Tower reopening reception. Photo credit: Dan Weill
Aerial shot of the Queen's Tower. Image credit: Thomas Angus
Drinks reception. Image credit: Dan Weill
Spiral staircase taken from below. Image credit: Dan Weill
Attendees entering the Tower. Image credit: Dan Weill
Archivist Anne Barrett delivering a speech. Image credit: Dan Weill
Provost Peter Haynes delivering a speech. Image credit: Dan Weill
Provost Peter Haynes unveiling the plaque. Image credit: Dan Weill
Plaque to acknowledge the completion of the restoration project. Image credit: Dan Weill
The Queen's Tower in all it's glory. Image credit: Thomas Angus
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