His Majesty King Charles III visited the iconic Battersea Power Station on Thursday 12th December 2024 to experience the riverside neighbourhood’s festive offering and meet with small business owners taking part in the Power Station’s series of Christmas markets this year, as well as members of the local community.
His Majesty was greeted by Tan Sri Shahril Ridza Ridzuan, Chairman of Battersea Project Holding Company, Donagh O’Sullivan, CEO of Battersea Power Station Development Company, Sir Kenneth Olisa, Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London, Colleen Harris MVO Deputy Lieutenant, His Excellency Dato’ Zakri Jaafar, the Malaysian High Commissioner, Sana Jafri, Mayor of Wandsworth, Marsha De Cordova, MP for Battersea, Councillor Kemi Akinola, Deputy Leader of Wandsworth Council and CEO of The King’s Trust, Jonathan Townsend.
The King was also welcomed to the riverside neighbourhood by the Battersea Power Station Community Choir, which consists of more than 100 local residents from across the Borough of Wandsworth, singing festive carols and songs.
During the visit, His Majesty visited the Curated Makers Christmas Market in Turbine Hall A, inside the Power Station and met with its founder, Megan Jones. Megan started Curated Makers after taking part in The King’s Trust’s Enterprise programme, a free course which helps young people fulfil their entrepreneurial dreams of starting their own business. In 2022, Megan opened the first Curated Makers store in London at Battersea Power Station and since then has also hosted a series of pop-up markets inside the building’s historic turbine halls. The brand supports more than 40 local, independent businesses selling homeware, candles, clothing, artwork and much more. The Curated Makers Christmas Market will be open at Battersea Power Station until 22nd December 2024.
The King also met with members of the local community including schoolchildren from Chesterton Primary School, members of Battersea based youth groups from Carney’s Community, Elays Network, Devas Youth Club, apprentices who have been recruited through the Battersea Academy for Skills and Employment (BASE) and a Battersea Power Station Alumna, Rita Kelly, who used to work at the Power Station in the 1950s and officially opened the building to the public in October 2022. As part of the visit, His Majesty unveiled a plaque to commemorate his visit to Battersea Power Station.
The King also toured Apple’s 500,000 sq ft UK Headquarters, which is located in the Boiler House inside the Power Station, where he met with Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook and various community groups supported by the company.
To finish off the visit, Christmas drawings created by schoolchildren from St. George’s CoE Primary School, Battersea were projected onto the Power Station, followed by a live music performance from English multi award-winning singer-songwriter RAYE in Power Station Park for all to enjoy.
Tan Sri Shahril Ridza Ridzuan, Chairman of Battersea Project Holding Company, said:
“On behalf of the Battersea Power Station team, we were honoured to welcome His Majesty to Battersea Power Station to witness the transformational restoration of the Grade II*listed building and to meet with members of the local community, small business owners and workers for whom the neighbourhood has become their town centre. Creating a sense of community at Battersea Power Station has always been a key focus for the shareholders and it was particularly special to see so many members of the local community gather today to celebrate this historical moment for Battersea Power Station at such a festive time of year.”
Donagh O’Sullivan, CEO of Battersea Power Station Development Company, said:
“Opening Battersea Power Station to the public in 2022 was a major milestone for the project and today we celebrated an extremely important, historical milestone by welcoming His Majesty King Charles III to this iconic destination. We were delighted to show The King around the local Christmas markets we are hosting this year as well as to point out some of the architectural feats which were achieved during the restoration. We also made sure to mention our resident peregrine falcons along with the other 97 bird species that we regularly spot across the estate.”
Simon Hogg, Leader of Wandsworth Council said: “It’s an honour to welcome His Majesty King Charles III to Wandsworth. Our borough is brimming with arts and culture, and as we prepare to take centre stage as London Borough of Culture in 2025 we’re inviting everyone to experience the magic and creativity that makes Wandsworth so special. Whether it’s the great attractions here at Battersea Power Station or the many hidden cultural gems across the borough, there’s something for everyone to discover.”
Megan Jones, Founder of Curated Makers, said:
“What a celebratory moment for Curated Makers and all the artists and makers that we represent. Having the opportunity to showcase our market to His Majesty this Christmas is a beautiful full circle moment, as I wouldn’t be here without the launchpad of the then Prince’s Trust Enterprise Programme, which I engaged with back in 2018 when launching my business. Through the support of the trust and the mentors that I benefitted from working with over the years, they encouraged me to think big, pursue my dreams and to work hard to grow Curated Makers to where it is today.
“Our wonderful collaboration with Battersea Power Station sees us have a store here that supports 60 makers all year round and our markets give further opportunity to another 60 small businesses to share their stories and sell their handmade wares directly to the public. Both supporting and shopping small has the biggest positive impact you can imagine and I encourage everyone to shop small this Christmas wherever possible.”
Under the custodianship of its Malaysian shareholders, Sime Darby Property, S P Setia and the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), Battersea Power Station has been expertly restored to its former glory for the public to enjoy. In 2019, Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) and EPF became the long-term owners of the Power Station securing the future of the landmark for many generations.
The wider area has also been transformed into a vibrant place with new homes, offices, large areas of public realm such as the six-acre Power Station Park, and over 150 shops, bars, restaurants and leisure venues including the unique glass elevator experience, Lift 109. Since the London landmark and Electric Boulevard, a pedestrianised high street, opened to the public in October 2022, more than 24 million people have visited Battersea Power Station.
Battersea Power Station has been transformed into London’s most magical destination for the festive season with sparkling lights, a 40ft Christmas tree in Malaysia Square, beautiful new decorations inside the historic turbine halls inspired by the building’s Art Deco design, Christmas markets, the highly anticipated return of the capital’s only riverside ice rink, Boots presents Glide at Battersea Power Station, and the Santa’s School For Elves grotto experience.
