Fashion, high-society fundraising, and political demonstrations converged in central London on Saturday evening, October 17, 2026, during the second annual British Museum Ball. While prominent figures from film, music, and fashion walked the red carpet, outside activists staged vocal demonstrations addressing corporate sponsorship and contested cultural artifacts.
The high-profile gala drew a star-studded guest list that included Maya Jama, Sir Mick Jagger, Gwendoline Christie, and Benedict Cumberbatch. Other notable attendees spanning culture and politics included London Mayor Sadiq Khan, former Chancellor George Osborne, actresses Cush Jumbo and Lesley Manville, social activist Bianca Jagger, and former British Vogue editor Edward Enninful.
A Crimson Theme Inspired by Autumn Exhibitions
The evening’s official dress code centered entirely on red, a palette chosen to connect attendees’ fashion with major exhibitions planned at the museum this autumn. According to organizers, the museum described the color as a “unifying thread woven through all three of the museum’s upcoming displays.”
Celebrities embraced the aesthetic on the red carpet. Maya Jama wore a strapless burgundy gown featuring layered ruffles and a sequined choker. Game of Thrones star Gwendoline Christie also leaned into the theme, arriving in a striking burgundy dress while clutching a single red rose. Host Rosanna Konarzewski captured attention in an elaborate gown inspired by the 11th-century embroidered Bayeux cloth, which arrived at the museum from France in July as part of an upcoming loan exhibition.
Additional autumn exhibitions highlighted at the event include a display marking the 250th anniversary of the United States and a landmark exhibition exploring two millennia of Korean creativity.
Protests Target BP Sponsorship and Parthenon Marbles
While guests celebrated inside the London landmark, the exterior became a focal point for political action. Multiple demonstrations took place throughout the evening, most notably by a pro-Palestine group objecting to the museum’s corporate sponsorship by energy giant BP.
During the event, protesters projected slogans such as “Drop BP” and “Blood Ball” directly onto the historic building’s facade. The demonstrations followed calls earlier in the week from the campaign group Energy Embargo for Palestine, which urged supporters to protest the museum’s corporate ties.
In addition to fossil fuel protests, restitution campaigns made their presence felt. Activist and guest Georgie Robertson wore a statement dress bearing the words “Return the Marbles,” directing attention to the long-standing dispute over the ownership of the Parthenon Marbles.
“Our national museum should reflect modern values, not perpetuate the legacy of colonial violence and looting. Return the marbles to their rightful home,” Robertson said in a public statement, arguing they belong at the Acropolis Museum in Athens.
The controversial statues originate from friezes on the 2,500-year-old Parthenon temple and have remained housed in London for more than two centuries after being removed by Lord Elgin during his tenure as British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire.
Fundraising for Infrastructure and Modernization
Despite the exterior friction, the gala served a vital financial purpose for the institution. Last year’s inaugural ball successfully raised more than £2.5 million to support the museum’s international partnerships and outreach efforts.
According to museum leadership, proceeds collected from this year’s second annual gathering will be directly channeled into the institution’s comprehensive master plan project. This overhaul specifically targets the museum’s outdated energy infrastructure, aiming to completely phase out fossil fuels and transition the historic London site toward low-carbon energy alternatives.
