Bring a piece of the Hall's history to your home with thisOfficial State Opening of the Royal Albert Hall of Arts and Sciences illustration.
Taking place 29 March 1871, the grand and famous opening of the iconic the Royal Albert Hall by Queen Victoria followed by a concert with the world premieres of 'A Biblical Cantata' by Sir Michael Costa and John Oxenford.
Doors opened at 10:00 so that the crowd of 8,000 ticket holders could enter and be seated in time. The Prince of Wales (wearing the uniform of the 10th Hussars), as President of the Provisional Committee for the Hall, arrived at 12.00 to be received by the Provisional Committee. HM Queen Victoria arrived at 12:30 as part of a nine carriage convoy accompanied by the 1st Life Guards.
