For more than 150 years, the Royal Albert Hall has stood as one of the world’s most iconic concert venues, a home to legendary performances and unforgettable moments in music, dance, theatre and culture. Every brick, tile and panel of this remarkable Grade I listed building holds memories. And now, for the first time, part of that history can be taken home.
This autumn marks the launch of a truly special project: the Royal Albert Hall Bees at the Hall Slate Coasters, crafted entirely from the Hall’s original roof tiles and hand-finished in Wales. More than a gift, each coaster is a tangible connection to the Hall’s story.
A Collaboration 12 Years in the Making
This project is an evolution of a long-standing partnership between the Hall and British designer Victoria Eggs, who has collaborated with the Hall for over 12 years. Together, they have developed five bespoke collections, each inspired by the building, its architecture, and the creativity it nurtures.
That shared history, understanding and trust made it possible to bring this ambitious coaster project to life, combining heritage, craftsmanship and sustainability in a way that feels both modern and deeply meaningful.
The Inspiration: Bees on the Roof
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In recent years, the Royal Albert Hall has introduced beehives to its roof as part of a biodiversity initiative, supporting urban pollinators in the heart of London. The hives inspired Victoria’s Bees at the Hall illustration - a celebration of nature, community, and quiet industry above one of the busiest performance stages in the world. Pairing that meaningful illustration with actual slate from the roof created a poetic union: the bees are on top of the Hall, and now the tiles that once sheltered them have been turned into coasters featuring their image. |
How the Coasters Were Made
To honour the slate’s story, every stage of production was designed to be transparent, sustainable and respectful:
- The original Welsh slate tiles, which had protected the Hall for decades, were removed during essential restoration works and safely stored.
- A buyer recognised the potential to transform the reclaimed material into a meaningful keepsake that people could take home.
- Victoria Eggs’ Bees at the Hall artwork, inspired by the rooftop beehives, created the perfect design for this new life as coasters.
- The slate returned to Wales, where it was originally quarried, closing the loop in a fitting full circle moment.
- Slate House, specialist makers, washed, cut and polished each tile, before laser-etching the illustration into the surface.
- Each coaster was finished with a felt backing, labelled and individually numbered as part of a limited run of just 1,600.
- And nothing was wasted: slate offcuts were repurposed, ensuring a zero-waste approach.
Why This Project Matters
This collection reflects everything at the heart of the long-standing relationship between Victoria Eggs and the Royal Albert Hall:
Craftsmanship
- Heritage
- Meaning
- Sustainability
It honours the past while giving historic materials a new purpose. It celebrates nature in an urban setting. And it allows music lovers, collectors and heritage fans to take home something real - not just a memory, but a piece of the building itself.
A Keepsake for Generations
Each coaster is a conversation starter, etched with artistry, made with intention, and rooted in the legacy of the Royal Albert Hall. Once the 1,600 are gone, there will not be another opportunity until future roof works, which may be decades away.
A gift with soul. A collectible with history. A story that continues.