Borrowing the Queen’s gold piano... What could go Prom?

BBc Proms director David Pickard has promised to handle with care the Queen’s ‘bling’ 1856 gold piano, which will be played on outside the Palace walls for the first time at a special summer concert.

‘We have been talking about the insurance,’ he tells me. ‘obviously, we have to be very careful with this piano.’

the gilded instrument made a guest appearance when the Queen delivered her recent christmas message from the State room.

‘i was digesting my christmas pudding when i saw this piano on television and i thought, “is that the one we’re getting?” — and indeed it is.’