Overview
- About 800 guests paid £2,000 each to attend the inaugural gala co‑chaired by director Nicholas Cullinan and Isha Ambani in the museum’s Great Court.
- The pink theme referenced the Ancient India: Living Traditions exhibition, with Indian food, a performance by sitarist Anoushka Shankar and a silent auction featuring lots such as a Tracey Emin pet portrait and a tour of Coco Chanel’s Paris apartment.
- The museum said money raised will fund international programmes, including partnerships in Ghana and Iraq and preparations to display the Bayeux Tapestry through a cultural exchange with Normandy.
- High‑profile attendees included Mick Jagger, Naomi Campbell, Rishi Sunak and Kristin Scott Thomas, with extensive fashion coverage highlighting Isha Ambani’s couture ensemble.
- Climate campaigners targeted the event over the museum’s £50m BP deal and Reliance links, with protests outside, a ‘Drop BP’ projection and an on‑stage interruption during chair George Osborne’s speech.