Family of author Sophie Kinsella support Abbey’s Sacristy project

Wednesday, 22nd April 2026

Westminster Abbey has received a generous contribution towards The King Charles III Sacristy, a new building which is being constructed to transform the welcome we offer our visitors and worshippers.

The significant six-figure donation has been made by the family of renowned author Madeleine Wickham. Better known by her pen name of Sophie Kinsella, Madeleine was a globally bestselling novelist, who sold over 50 million books in more than 60 countries. Sadly, she died aged 55 in December 2025 of brain cancer, and this gift has been donated in her memory.

The Wickham family has a great affection for and a long association with the Abbey. Madeleine's husband Henry serves as an Honorary Steward, and their son Oscar was an Abbey chorister.

With this additional funding, the total raised to date is £10 million of the £13.9 million total cost of the project.

The Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, said:

‘Madeleine will be long remembered and celebrated for her writing and her zest for life. We grieve for our loss. It is fitting and it is moving though, to think that her name will be ever associated with a building made not just from stone, wood and glass, but also sustained by words. We are deeply grateful for this gift and delighted to join in this act of remembrance.’

The Sacristy, which will be named in honour of HM The King, is being constructed to house state-of-the-art welcome, security and ticketing facilities, removing and replacing those currently occupying the north transept, freeing up more than 10% of the Abbey’s floorspace.

It is being built on the footprint of Henry III’s medieval Great Sacristy. Built in the 1250s and an integral part of Henry's church, the Sacristy was where the monks kept vestments, altar linens and other artefacts needed for their daily worship, allowing the Abbey itself to be preserved in all its beauty and wonder as a sacred space.

Designed in sympathy with the Abbey's Gothic architecture, the new building will reflect the history of the original Sacristy by freeing the Abbey for worship and pilgrimage.

The project will also see visitors and worshippers following in the footsteps of royalty by entering the Abbey through the Great West Door. From here, they will enjoy magnificent views of the full length of the church and be inspired by the Abbey as it really is: a House of God and a House of Kings.

The building is due to open in early 2027.