If the majestic entrance of Australia House looks vaguely familiar, that’s because you have seen it before. The 160-foot Exhibition Hall, decorated with 1200 tons of intricately-patterned Australian marble,was the set for Gringotts Wizarding Bank in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. More recently it was a location for Wonder Woman, a Muppets movie starring Ricky Gervais and a teenage vampire film.
But these modern dalliances with popular culture are far from the most interesting events that have defined the fascinating history of the oldest continuously occupied diplomatic mission in London.
Built to extravagant proportions, using expensive imported materials during the desperate austerity...