The Royal Chapels of St James – This event is now full and the ballot for places held
This event is now full and a ballot for places has been held. Successful and unsuccessful applicants have been told.
This is a rare opportunity to have an exclusive private tour of the two Royal Chapels, hosted by Serjeant of the Vestry, The Royal Household, John Simpson.
The Queen’s Chapel was built by Inigo Jones and begun in 1623 and completed in 1626 for Henrietta Maria and refurnished in the 1660s for Charles I’s Catholic wife Catherine of Braganza. It is the first classical church in England. In 1761 George III married Charlotte of Meckleburg-Strelitz here. The Chapel was part of the Palace until it was annexed by the 1809 fire which destroyed a larger part of the state apartments on the east.
The Chapel Royal, St James’s forms the larger part of the Tudor Royal Palace built by Henry VIII on the site of the St James’s Hospital. Queen Victoria, her eldest daughter, Princess Victoria, and her grandson, the future George V, were all married here.
The Master has arranged for special permission for our learned Clerk to give a short recital on each organ. After the tour, we shall have a wine reception, and then make our way across Pall Mall to Davy’s Wine Bar, Crown Passage, for a delicious three course dinner.
We meet at the Queen’s Chapel, Marlborough Gate at 17.45. Please note late comers will not be able to join us.
Cost
£55.00 per person (to include a donation to the Chapels, a glass or two of wine before dinner, choice of three course dinner with a further glass of wine, pint of beer, or premium soft drink).
Security
We may be asked to provide details of all visitors for pre-screening security. We will be advised of the full requirements shortly. You may need to bring photographic ID with you on the day.
Places
Please note that places are limited to 30. We expect this event to be very popular so places are also limited to 2 per liveryman. We shall be holding a draw if the visit is over-subscribed and there will also be a waiting list. Please complete the booking form and return it to the office and indicate if you would like to be put on this list if you’re unsuccessful in obtaining a place – you and your guests will need to be available at short notice and, if required, pre-screened for security.
We shall be asking attendees to pick their dinner choices once they are successful in obtaining places. However, for information, the menu options are below:
Mushroom Soup
Burrata on toast, burnt orange, heritage tomato, crushed coriander and fennel seed dressing
Serrano ham, Russian potato salad, soft boiled Legbar egg
Chicken schnitzel, lemon and oregano crumb, braised peppers, rocket & fries
Fish and chips, tartare sauce, minted pea purée
Gnocchi, roasted cauliflower, tamarind tomato, crispy kale
Poached red wine pear, whipped mascarpone, amaretto crumb .
Treacle tart, Dorset clotted cream
I hope to see you there.
Adrian Mumford
Clerk