The Unofficial British Royal Family Pages

6 Dec 2000 - Speech given by The Queen at the British Museum

In the life of the nation, the British Museum is a remarkable phenomenon. It is an institution which has had a world-wide
reputation for nearly 250 years and it is an enduring source of learning, inspiration and pleasure for millions of people who visit every year, from this country and from overseas.

The British Museum originated with the private collection of Sir Hans Sloane, who was physician to King George II. The first Trustees looked at two London houses for the Museum, Montagu House here in Bloomsbury, and Buckingham House, somewhere near Victoria, I believe.

Montagu House was the one which was chosen, but soon it became too small for the growing collection and increasing public. The gift of King George III's books in 1823 brought the issue to a head, and an immense building programme began, starting with the King's Library.

This Library now forms the East side of the Great Court. The whole quadrangle of buildings was completed by 1847, after which the Round Reading Room was built at its centre.

As the Reading Room was entered through a corridor from the Front Hall, this magnificent central space was forgotten about. That is until ten years ago, when its potential as a valuable area for visitors was realised.

It has taken the genius of Lord Foster, Spencer de Grey and their colleagues, and the enthusiasm and support of the Trustees, staff and many friends of the Museum, to bring about this building which so well unites old and new architecture to provide a contemporary space.

The Great Court will benefit the millions of people who come to the British Museum every year. We can be confident that it will become a landmark associated with the new Millennium.

It gives me pleasure now to declare the Queen Elizabeth II Great Court open.