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Henry VIII's 500th anniversary

The 22 April marks the 500th anniversary of Henry VIII's accession to the throne. To celebrate this occasion Hampton Court Palace, has an unmissable programme of spectacular events.

Hampton Court Palace during 2009
2009 is a fantastic year to visit Hampton Court Palace, as Henry VIII's favourite royal residence has been majestically transformed to mark his 500th anniversary. With new displays and presentations bringing the story of the King and his court to life as never before!

Hampton Court Palace in 2009 and beyond, will be hosting the wedding party for Henry VIII's marriage to his sixth wife Kateryn Parr. Every day from 10 April, live historical interpreters resplendent in Tudor costume will recreate the wedding celebrations.

Henry's Women, 10 April - 3 August 2009
A temporary exhibition about Henry VIII's wives and his dynastic quest. Bringing together - for the first time little-known 16th-century portraits of each of the wives, Henry VIII, and Henry's other women, his favourite sister Mary, and daughters Mary and Elizabeth. 

Tudor cookery, Various dates
Henry VIII's Tudor kitchens at Hampton Court Palace are famous throughout the world. Throughout the year the kitchens are brought to life when the Tudor cooks experiment with traditional recipes, ingredients and cooking methods to prepare feasts fit for a king!

Rick Wakeman performs Six Wives of Henry VIII, 1 - 2 May
Hampton Court Palace hosts a unique opportunity to see ‘prog-rock' legend Rick Wakeman perform, for the first time in its entirety his classic album The Six Wives of Henry VIII.

Tudor music festival, 7 - 10 May
A series of 4 nights of concerts in Henry VIII's Great Hall at Hampton Court Palace. The line-up features lutenist Elizabeth Kenny, Hampton Court Palace Chapel Choir, the Brabante Quartet and a Sunday concert featuring the King's Singers.

Sport for kings, 23-25 May, 25-26 July
As majestic falcons swoop overhead and gallant gentlemen take up their swords to show their skills, join King Henry VIII and his court at play. There is money to be won betting on the outrageous games of chance and skill which the Tudors loved.

Henry VIII's Coronation weekend, 20-21 June
20 June - King Henry VIII and Queen Catherine of Aragon will depart from the Tower of London accompanied by up to forty traditional oared craft. On arrival at Hampton Court Palace the royal couple, will be greeted by music, dancing, performances from the King's fools and a picnic in the palace's Privy Garden.
21 June - The festivities continue at Hampton Court Palace with river games and other court activities. By late afternoon the King and Queen's flotilla will leave to sail back upriver marking the end of the historic weekend's celebrations.

John Heywood's The Play of the Weather theatre, 4-8 August
The Play of the Weather is the exemplary court drama from the reign of Henry VIII that will be performed in Hampton Court's Great Hall. Whilst records don't tell us where or when the play was performed, it was clearly written to be staged at court with the play commenting on Henry's divorce and his infatuation with Anne Boleyn.

Tudor tournament, 29 - 31 August
For the first time in modern history, Hampton Court Palace plays host to a recreation of a Tudor jousting tournament. Gasp and cheer as knights in armour thunder onto the field on their magnificent chargers. England's finest jousters compete to impress King Henry VIII and his bride Queen Kateryn Parr with a display of skill, strength and bravery.

Tudor Christmas, 28 December to 3 January
Henry VIII and Queen Kateryn Parr invite you to celebrate their first Christmas together. Entertained by the King's famous fool, the magnificent musicians of his chamber and the delights of games and dancing, come and take part in a Christmas you'll never forget.

For more events happening in 2009, visit our events pages.