King Charles III visits Battersea Power Station
King Charles III visited Battersea Power Station this week to meet with small business owners taking part in the Christmas markets.
His Majesty was greeted by Tan Sri Shahril Ridza Ridzuan, chairman of Battersea Project Holding Company, Sana Jafri, Mayor of Wandsworth, Marsha De Cordova, MP for Battersea, and councillor Kemi Akinola, deputy leader of Wandsworth council.
Ms Ridzuan, 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 community gather today to celebrate this historical moment for Battersea Power Station at such a festive time of year.”
The King was also welcomed to the riverside neighbourhood by the Battersea Power Station Community Choir which included more than 100 residents from across Wandsworth who sang festive carols and songs.
During the visit, King Charles III visited the Curated Makers Christmas Market where he met with its founder, Megan Jones.
Ms Jones 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, Ms Jones opened the first Curated Makers store in London at Battersea Power Station and since then has hosted a series of pop-up markets inside the building’s historic turbine halls.
The King also met with schoolchildren from Chesterton Primary School, members of Battersea youth groups from Carney’s Community, Elays Network, Devas Youth Club, 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.
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 multi award-winning singer-songwriter RAYE in Power Station Park.
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.”
For more information about Battersea Power Station, visit www.batterseapowerstation.co.uk and follow @BatterseaPwrStn to keep up to date with the latest news and events.
Pictured top: His Majesty King Charles III arriving into Battersea Power Station to visit the Curated Makers Christmas market (Picture: Charlie Round-Turner)