When it comes to moving valuable pianos there are few companies better equipped to handle the job than piano specialist G&R Removals.

So when the call came in from manufacturers John Broadwood & Son Ltd to move one of their concert grand pianos from its home in the Foreign Office to a stage in the grounds of Buckingham Palace, G&R was happy to oblige. It was all part of preparations for the Queen’s Coronation Festival, which took place on 12-14 July.

“We’ve done quite a few jobs for the Royal Households over the years, so we’re quite used to it really,” said G&R’s Managing Director Lance Green. Security is always pretty tight and we weren’t even sure exactly where we were going with the Broadwood until we arrived to pick it up!”

The Festival was hosted by TV presenters Sophie Raworth and Gareth Malone and included performances from Katherine Jenkins, Only Boys Aloud, Russell Watson, Katie Melua and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, who famously sung at the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales.

John Broadwood & Sons was established in 1728, and is one of the last British piano makers in the UK. The company has held a Warrant for the supply, maintenance and tuning of all kinds of pianos to the Royal Households since the reign of George II.

“We were delighted to be asked by John Broadwood & Sons to move the piano to Buckingham Palace and I’m pleased to say everything went according to plan. I hope Queen Elizabeth enjoyed the Festival and we all wish her well in the future,” said Lance.

Picture: L – R Sam Tilling, Lenny Loveridge, Dean Fisher and Ward Scott in the grounds of Buckingham Palace