After several decades in development, Egypt formally opened the Grand Egyptian Museum on Saturday, unveiling what officials called the world’s largest archaeological museum in a star-studded ceremony attended by dozens of royals, world leaders, and dignitaries from around the world.
The long-awaited opening, held near the Great Pyramids of Giza, marked the culmination of a project first proposed in the 1990s. Costing more than $1.2 billion, the vast complex spans over 500,000 square meters and houses around 100,000 artifacts spanning 7,000 years of Egyptian history, including the complete collection of treasures from the tomb of Tutankhamun, displayed together for the first time.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi hosted the event, which drew a high-profile guest list including Queen Rania of Jordan, who arrived in a custom red Dolce & Gabbana gown with pleats and draping inspired by ancient Egyptian garments; her daughter Princess Salma in a black dress by Tunisian couturier Alaia; and Queen Mary of Denmark, in a pale mint lace and skirt set by Zimmermann, a brand from her native Australia.
Queen Mary and Prince Albert can be seen in the front row of many global leaders.
Also in attendance were Princess Akiko of Japan, Prince Albert of Monaco, King Felipe of Spain, King Philippe of Belgium, and Henri, the former Grand Duke of Luxembourg. The spectacular ceremony featured fireworks, a drone light show, and live dance and music performances inspired by ancient Egyptian art, all set against the illuminated backdrop of the Giza pyramids.
Global leaders, royals, and other dignitaries gather for a formal photo at the museum opening.
The museum, referred to as Egypt’s “fourth pyramid” for its scale and modern design, aims to become a centerpiece of tourism in Cairo, attracting upwards of eight million visitors per year. Among the museum’s centerpiece attractions are a colossal statue of Ramses II, the 4,600-year-old Khufu funerary boat, and a suspended obelisk of the same pharaoh. “’I’ve been organizing so many tours to the museum even though it was partially open,” Ahmed Seddik, a guide and Egyptologist, told the BBC. “Now it will be at the pinnacle of its glory. When the Tutankhamun collection opens, then you can imagine the whole world will come back, because this is an iconic Pharaoh, the most famous king of all antiquity.”
The museum will officially open to the public tomorrow, November 4.
Rachel King (she/her) is a news writer at Town & Country. Before joining T&C, she spent nearly a decade as an editor at Fortune. Her work covering travel and lifestyle has appeared in Forbes, Observer, Robb Report, Cruise Critic, and Cool Hunting, among others. Originally from San Francisco, she lives in New York with her wife, their daughter, and a precocious labradoodle. Follow her on Instagram at .
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