Brief
Pro-Palestine protests erupt at British Museum Ball attended by Mick Jagger
The charity gala saw protesters project “Drop BP” and “Blood Ball” on the museum while guests like Mick Jagger and Gwendoline Christie arrived in designer attire.
By Felo News Desk · Published
The British Museum Ball on Saturday night raised funds for the museum’s landmark status, but was disrupted by a series of pro‑Palestine protests, according to Standard UK.
What happened
During the evening, activists projected the messages “Drop BP” and “Blood Ball” onto the museum façade. The demonstrations were organised by the campaign group Energy Embargo for Palestine, which called for a protest against the museum’s sponsorship by BP and its celebration of the United States.
What the reports add
Standard UK noted that the ball’s theme was red, described as a “unifying thread” linking three upcoming displays, including the Bayeux Tapestry loan. Host Rosetta Konarzewski wore a dress inspired by the 11th‑century tapestry, and the 70‑metre cloth arrived at the museum in July.
What was said
Guest Georgie Robertson, wearing a dress emblazoned with “Return the Marbles”, said the museum should “reflect modern values, not perpetuate the legacy of colonial violence and looting”. She added that the Parthenon marbles “must be reunited with the sculptures displayed at the Acropolis Museum in Athens”.
How it came about
The event featured a roster of high‑profile attendees, including Mick Jagger, Melanie Hamrick, Gwendoline Christie, Cush Jumbo, Lesley Manville, Bianca Jagger, former chancellor George Osborne, former British Vogue editor Edward Enninful, models Erin O’Connor and Adot Gak, and architect Kulapat Yantrasast. The ball’s inspiration stemmed from the museum’s autumn exhibitions, notably the Bayeux Tapestry loan, which was also the focus of Felo’s coverage on 2026‑09‑18.
Key facts
- Pro‑Palestine activists projected “Drop BP” and “Blood Ball” onto the British Museum during the ball. (standard.co.uk)
- The event was sponsored by BP and aimed to raise money for the museum’s landmark status. (standard.co.uk)
- Guest Georgie Robertson wore a dress reading “Return the Marbles” and called for the Parthenon marbles to be returned to Athens. (standard.co.uk)
- Mick Jagger, Melanie Hamrick and other celebrities attended the gala. (standard.co.uk)
- The ball’s theme was red, linking three upcoming museum displays, including the Bayeux Tapestry loan. (standard.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] standard.co.uk — originally reported as “Maya Jama and Mick Jagger among stars at British Museum Ball”
