His Majesty King Charles III visited Battersea Power Station earlier this month to experience the riverside neighbourhood’s festive offering and meet with small business owners taking part in the Power Station’s series of Christmas markets this year, as well as members of the local community.
His Majesty was greeted by Tan Sri Shahril Ridza Ridzuan, chairman of Battersea Project Holding Company, Donagh O’Sullivan, CEO of Battersea Power Station Development Company, Sir Kenneth Olisa, Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London, Colleen Harris MVO Deputy Lieutenant, His Excellency Dato’ Zakri Jaafar, the Malaysian High Commissioner, Sana Jafri, Mayor of Wandsworth, Marsha De Cordova, MP for Battersea, Councillor Kemi Akinola, Deputy Leader of Wandsworth Council and CEO of The King’s Trust, Jonathan Townsend.
The King was also welcomed to the riverside neighbourhood by the Battersea Power Station Community Choir, which consists of more than 100 local residents from across the Borough of Wandsworth, singing festive carols and songs.
During the visit, His Majesty visited the Curated Makers Christmas Market in Turbine Hall A, inside the Power Station and met with its founder, Megan Jones. 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, Megan opened the first Curated Makers store in London at Battersea Power Station and since then has also hosted a series of pop-up markets inside the building’s historic turbine halls. The brand supports more than 40 local, independent businesses selling homeware, candles, clothing, artwork and much more.
The King also met with members of the local community including schoolchildren from Chesterton Primary School, members of Battersea based youth groups from Carney’s Community, Elays Network, Devas Youth Club, apprentices who have been recruited through the Battersea Academy for Skills and Employment (BASE) 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. As part of the visit, His Majesty unveiled a plaque to commemorate his visit to Battersea Power Station.
