King Charles beamed with delight as the grand unveiling of the new main stage curtains at the Royal Opera House took place, featuring a design created in his honour. The monarch watched as more than 2,000 guests at the Covent Garden venue cheered upon catching their first glimpse of the curtains, which boast an embroidery of the King’s personal cipher.
A Night of Celebration
The unveiling, accompanied by an introduction from Sir Ian McKellen, kicked off an evening filled with music and dance as performers graced the stage for the Spring Gala: Stories From The Royal Ballet And The Royal Opera. The previous curtains had opened and closed for over 10,000 performances since their installation in 1997, but daily wear and tear necessitated a replacement.
Curtain Specifications
The new mohair velour curtains each measure 9.75 metres wide and have a 10.8-metre drop. The King’s cipher has been incorporated to symbolise the enduring relationship between the monarchy and the arts, according to executives. The monogram combines his initial “C” with “R” for Rex, the Latin for king, and “III” as he is the third King Charles.
Alex Beard, chief executive of the Royal Ballet and Opera, described it as “a privilege” to welcome Charles, who serves as patron of both The Royal Ballet and The Royal Opera, to the gala. He noted that the event brought “together artists from both companies in a shared celebration.” Beard added: “The unveiling of the new stage curtains marks an important moment for the organisation, reflecting our continued investment in the future of our stage and in the remarkable craft that underpins every performance.”
Behind the Scenes
Earlier in the evening, Charles met with representatives from curtain production specialists Gerriets and the expert embroiderers of the Royal School of Needlework, who helped create the new curtains. He also viewed the original designs alongside intricate embroidery samples. The new curtains were commissioned thanks to a grant from the Julia Rausing Trust, which supports excellence in the arts.
After the show, Charles went backstage to meet the cast and get a closer look at the curtains. Among those he spoke to were Sir Ian, Welsh bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel, and South African soprano Pretty Yende, both of whom performed during the gala. Ms Yende described the evening as “extraordinary” and hailed the Royal Opera House as “one of the most extraordinary opera houses in the world,” adding that performing there is “a singer’s dream.”
