Visit Madame Tussauds London And See Their New Royal Palace Experience!
You don’t have to go to Buckingham Palace to catch a glimpse of the King. Instead, you can rub shoulders with royalty at Madame Tussaud London‘s Royal Palace Experience exhibit.
Here’s the lowdown on everything you need to know!
What is Madame Tussauds in London?
Founded more than 200 years ago by the French artist, Marie Tussaud, this unique museum houses lifelike wax figures from famous and influential faces.
Over the years it has survived wars, fires and even a bomb attack, eventually growing into the phenomenon it is today with museums all over the world. But, London is the original and it draws in millions of visitors every single year.
Who was Madame Tussaud?
Madame Tussaud – or Marie Tussaud – learned the art of wax modelling from her mother’s employer. She quickly honed her skills, creating lifelike wax masterpieces that included the likenesses of legendary figures like Napoleon Bonaparte and Benjamin Franklin.
Her reputation grew, and she eventually brought her talents to London and opened a museum.
What wax figures are there in Madame Tussauds London?
Madame Tussauds in London is home to over 300 wax figures of historical figures, sports stars, music legends, and popular celebrities from around the world. Some of the notable wax figures currently on display include:
- Members of the Royal Family, such as Kings Charles III, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince William
- Sports icons including Lewis Hamilton, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Anthony Joshua
- Pop culture stars like Beyoncé, Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande
- Politicians including Barack Obama and Winston Churchill
The museum adds new figures regularly to keep the exhibits fresh and exciting for visitors.
There are also fun, themed experience rooms including the Chamber of Horrors, the Marvel Hall of Heroes and Star Wars.
What is the Chamber of Horrors?
This spine-chilling section of the museum is not for the faint of heart! It’s filled with lifelike wax figures of some of history’s most notorious criminals and gruesome scenes, complete with actors. Between you and I, the figure of Jack the Ripper scared the life out of me!
The chamber’s conception can be dated all the way back to Marie Tussaud’s beginnings. You see, her wax sculpting did not always revolve around the world of celebrity. In fact, the artist’s early works were that of the French aristocracy, and when the revolution hit that didn’t stop the budding artist.
She would create sculptures of the decapitated heads of the victims of the french revolution, including Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI. Rumour has it she would collect heads fresh from the guillotine and begin work!
Can You See King Charles III in Madame Tussauds London?
You most certainly can! The King Charles wax figure has been a part of the royal display in Madame Tussauds for a while —-he first sat for sculpture back in 1968!
However, in conjunction with the coronation festivities and the museum’s unveiling of their ‘Royal Palace Experience’ the sculpture has been updated slightly with some snazzy new clothes and medals.
The dapper ensemble was inspired by the attire he wore for the first-ever State Banquet of his reign and it took the Madame Tussauds team over 140 hours to perfect all the intricate details. Enter our competition for a chance to see King Charles at Madame Tussauds, for free!
What is the Madame Tussauds Royal Palace Experience in London?
The museum created a special exhibition to mark the coronation of King Charles III. Visitors to the Royal Palace Experience can enjoy the ultimate regal fantasy as they step into the Throne Room and mingle with wax figures of the British royal family. You can take selfies with the likes of Queen Elizabeth II, Prince William, Kate Middleton and Prince Harry.
And the royal experience doesn’t end there! In the Royal Drawing Room, visitors can take a seat at an afternoon tea set-up and imagine sipping tea with actual royalty! You also may run into some of the palace’s friends, like Dame Judi Dench and Sir Mo Farah.
Why is Harry stood apart from the Royal Family at Madame Tussauds London?
If you’re hoping to get a picture with Harry standing alongside his dad and brother, you may be out of luck. You see, following Harry and Meghan’s move to the States in 2020, their sculptures were moved away from the Royal section and into the Awards Party zone. This was to represent the couple’s shift away from royal duties and transition into a more Hollywood lifestyle.
How much does Madame Tussauds London cost to visit?
You can see the royals up close for £29 when you book online and £42 at the door. This standard ticket allows you entry into Madame Tussauds and access to all the celebrity sculptures, not just the royals!
You can also enjoy a ride on Spirit of London, take a chilling walk through the Chamber of Horrors and experience Marvel Universe 4D cinema.
If you want to skip the queues you can pay extra for a Fast-Track (£44).
When is the best time to visit Madame Tussauds London?
As Madame Tussauds is a very popular attraction, it can get quite busy. However, there is a limit on how many people they allow to visit at one time.
So, if you’re hoping to explore with fewer crowds, I’d recommend going early or going late and if you’re able to, opting for midweek and outside of the school holidays.
