The Prince of Wales was the guest of honour at a gala ball for the Golden Jubilee at the Royal Academy of Arts on Monday.
Among the 650 guests treated to a reception, dinner and dance, were diva Shirley Bassey and lawyer and businesswoman, the honourable Barbara Thomson. The occasion was held in honour of the Academy’s patron Queen Elizabeth II at Burlington House in central London, which has been the home of the Academy since 1868.
The Prince, who is Honorary President of the Royal Academy Trust, sipped vintage wines in a ballroom decorated in a variety of flora and fauna and met up with Diamonds Are Forever singer Shirley. Camilla Parker Bowles did not accompany him.
The ball was held among the paintings and sculptors of the world’s longest-running exhibition of contemporary art, and was expected to raise £250,000 for the Academy.
Prince Charles said: “Since 1768, and without public funding, the Royal Academy of Arts has encouraged generation after generation to create and enjoy the visual arts.” He added that the funding would ensure more people had access to exhibitions and would be inspired by them.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
