The British Museum has secured the £3.5million required to purchase the Tudor Heart Pendant, a unique 24-carat gold artefact connected to the marriage of Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon.
The institution confirmed on Tuesday that its public fundraising drive, which began in October 2025, met its target just four days ahead of the February 14 deadline.
“The campaign captured the public’s imagination with the untold love story the Tudor Heart tells between Henry and Katherine,” the museum stated.
The rare piece will now remain permanently accessible to visitors, having been acquired for the museum’s collection.
The British Museum announced they had met the required £3.5million to purchase the Tudor Heart Pendant
|
PA
A substantial £1.75million award from the National Heritage Memorial Fund proved instrumental in reaching the fundraising goal.
Beyond this major grant, the campaign attracted remarkable public support, with more than 45,000 individuals making personal contributions that collectively amounted to £380,000.
Several other significant donations also helped bridge the gap to the £3.5million target.
The pendant, crafted from 24-carat gold, represents the sole surviving piece of jewellery from the period of Henry VIII’s union with his first wife.
A metal detectorist unearthed the treasure in Warwickshire back in 2019, triggering reporting obligations under the British Treasure Act of 1996.
This legislation grants national and local museums the opportunity to acquire historically significant discoveries before they become available for general sale.
The heart-shaped pendant hangs from a 75-link gold chain via a distinctive clasp shaped as a hand reaching from a cloud.
The pendant is the only surviving piece of jewellery from King Henry VIII’s first marriage
|
PA
Enamelled decorations adorn the piece, with the front displaying a white and red Tudor rose intertwined with a pomegranate bush, Queen Katherine’s personal symbol “representing fertility and her Spanish homeland.”
On the concealed reverse side, the letters “H” and “K” appear joined by a tasselled cord.
The French word “tousiors,” translating to “always,” features on both faces of the pendant.
Henry VIII married Katherine in 1509, beginning what would become his longest marriage at 24 years before he sought an annulment in 1533 to wed Anne Boleyn.
Museum research suggests the pendant may have been created to mark the 1518 betrothal between the couple’s two-year-old daughter Princess Mary and the eight-month-old French heir-apparent.
The French word “tousiors,” translating to “always,” features on pendant
|
PA
“A powerful witness to pivotal years in English history, the Tudor Heart Pendant offers a tantalising glimpse into the splendour of Henry VIII’s early court and celebrates chivalry, love and dynastic hope,” the museum noted.
Actor Damian Lewis backed the campaign, describing the jewellery as “so exquisite” whilst highlighting the couple’s often-overlooked love story.
