Celebrities from across the globe have gathered for the inaugural ‘pink’ ball at the British Museum.
Famous faces were spotted walking down a pink carpet at the museum on Saturday evening, with the annual event aiming to establish a new highlight in the international social calendar.
The Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan, artist Grayson Perry and model Lady Kitty Spencer were among some of the first celebrities pictured at the event.
Sir Sadiq Khan and his wife Saadiya Khan attend the British Museum ball
Dave Benett
The pink dress code draws inspiration from the colours and light of India and is a nod to the museum’s Ancient India: Living Traditions exhibition, which closes this weekend.
Other celebrities to walk down the pink carpet outside the museum included model Erin O’Connor and actress Yasmin Finney.
Yasmin Finney arrives at the British Museum
Ian West/PA Wire
Erin O’Connor poses outside the British Museum
Ian West/PA Wire
The event was co-hosted by Indian philanthropist Isha Ambani, who is the daughter of the richest man in India, and featured a performance from the renowned British sitarist Anoushka Shankar.
A number of famous faces were also expected to perform at the event. Over 800 guests are understood to have paid £2,000 for tickets to attend.
Lady Kitty Spencer attending the inaugural British Museum Ball
Ian West/PA Wire
Elizabeth Jagger (left) and Jerry Hall attending the inaugural British Museum Ball
Ian West/PA Wire
Former prime minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty arrive at the British Museum
Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP
Names on the evening’s organisational committee include Naomi Campbell, Idris Elba and Kristin Scott-Thomas, while Courtney Love and some of the biggest names in fashion – Miuccia Prada and Alexa Chung among them – were tipped to attend.
Guests were treated to a drinks reception and speeches in the Great Court at the museum, before taking their seats for dinner at tables set amid some of the most spectacular objects in the Museum collection.
British sitarist Anoushka Shankar will perform at the ball
Dave Benett
A silent auction ran throughout the evening, with the British Museum explaining that guests had the chance to support the museum in unique and memorable ways.
