Royal Albert Hall sculptures unveiled
13th December 2023
A big congratulations to QEST Scholars Poppy Field, Tom Brown and Tom Nicholls whose sculptures have been unveiled at the Royal Albert Hall.
Stone sculptures of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, carved by the London Stone Carving team for the niches on the original North Porch, were unveiled at a private ceremony on 7 November. The niches had previously sat empty for over 150 years.
Bronze figures of the late Queen and Prince Philip, sculpted by Poppy Field for the South Porch, were unveiled by Their Majesties King Charles and Queen Camilla on arrival at the Royal Albert Hall for the Festival of Remembrance on 11 November.
The makers were commissioned to create the sculptures as part of the Hall’s 150th anniversary celebrations, following a competition process.
Tom and Tom worked with London Stone Carving colleagues Josh Locksmith and Sam Lee to make the stone sculptures of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
Tom Nicholls said it was an honour to work on a project of this scale.
“The project has been three years in the making, and it’s been a huge privilege to make such a significant mark on such an iconic building,” he said.
Learn more about London Stone Carving’s making journey here
Poppy, a 2016 QEST Finnis Scott Foundation Scholar, said it was the “project of a lifetime.”
Cast in bronze, the sculptures depict the late Queen and Prince Philip in the mid-1960s and pay tribute to the couple’s shared lifetime of service.
“I was euphoric to be awarded this commission, and am grateful to have been entrusted with this responsibility,” she said.
“Seeing the figures of the Queen and Prince Philip come to life as I immersed myself in the project was so exciting: they measure over 2m each and took nearly nine months to complete.
“I hope to have captured something both timeless and universal in the relationship between the two sculptures.
“It was an honour to sculpt them and I was very moved to be at their unveiling on Armistice Day.”
Learn more about Poppy’s making process here
