In a large ceremony attended by approximately 1000 invitees, consisting of public figures, business men, and English celebrities, H.E the Minister of Antiquities Dr. Khaled al-Anani inaugurated the “Tutankhamun: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh” exhibition, now taking place in its third stop, London.

H.E the Ambassador of Egypt in London, Tarek Adel, attended the ceremony, as did the archaeologist Dr. Zahi Hawwas, and Lady Fiona Carnarvon, eighth granddaughter of Lord Carnarvon, who funded Howard Carter’s archaeological mission that resulted in the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb. Public figures, celebrities, ambassadors, Egyptologists, and representatives of tourism companies were also in attendance.

During his speech, H.E Dr. Khaled al-Anani stated that the exhibition only includes a very small portion of the young king’s belonging. The bulk of the king’s property resides in Egypt and reaches over 5400 historical objects. In this regard, the exhibition serves as a sample to encourage the English public and people of the world to visit Egypt and see the rest of the young king’s belonging. H.E the Minister of Antiquities indicated that the exhibition of Tutankhamun in London is considered a special event that has connected the British public and Tutankhamun since 1922, when Howard Carter discovered the tomb of the young king and his treasures in the western bank of Luxor. H.E the Minister expressed his certainty that the young king comes to London on this day brining with him the sun, love, and peace from the Egyptian people.

H.E the Minister of Antiquities Dr. Khaled al-Anani made it clear that, according to statistics, up until the few hours prior to the official opening of the exhibition, 285,000 tickets were sold. This is a number that far exceeded the number of tickets sold in Paris prior to its official opening of the exhibition, which ultimately attracted more than 1.4 million visitors.

London is the third stop of the treasures of the young king. The exhibition is touring the globe in line with major celebrations taking place close to the centennial of the most important archaeological discoveries of the twentieth century, epitomized in the tomb of Tutankhamun.

The exhibition includes 150 historical objects belonging to the young king, including a number of golden ushabti statues, wooden chests, canopic jars, and golden ka statues, and alabaster vessels.