Foto Alamy/Monica Wells
The funds were raised earlier than planned thanks to donations from private patrons, charitable foundations and broad public support.
The campaign was launched in October 2025. Initially, the museum expected to close the collection by April 2026, but the high interest in the artifact allowed to accelerate the process. The institution emphasized that in case of a failed transaction, the pendant could be sold to a private collector and leave the territory of the UK.
What is the value of the pendant?
According to the curators’ estimates, the jewelry belongs to the beginning of the XVI century and was probably created for the court tournament in 1518, writes Forbes. Specialists associate it with the first marriage of King Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, concluded in 1509. It is assumed that the pendant could serve as a commemorative symbol of their union. The decorative ribbon bears an inscription that researchers translate as “forever”, which is interpreted as a reference to the marriage vows.
Experts note that the “Tudor Heart” is not only of artistic, but also historical value. The period of Henry VIII’s early reign is traditionally associated with the consolidation of the Tudor dynasty and the demonstration of monarchial power through court ceremonies, tournaments and symbolic gestures. The decoration was probably used in a similar context – as an element of public representation of the royal union.
The museum said that after completing all the necessary procedures for conservation and scientific description, the pendant will be presented to the public. It is planned that the exhibit will go on an exhibition tour to various regions of the country, and then take its place in the permanent exhibition dedicated to the Tudor era.
