Victoria Revealed, Kensington Palace
From the 26th March 2012 a new permanent exhibition will be on display at Kensington Palace. The exhibition will chart the reign of one of the palace’s most famous and illustrious residents, Queen Victoria. Using excerpts from her own private journals and personal correspondence the exhibition will display some of her personal treasures and artworks in the rooms she once inhabited at the palace. This is a very rare and original glimpse at the very private life of this great queen.
Important Exhibits
Items that have never before been made public will be on display with important artworks and sculptures, favourite pieces of jewellery and original clothing all combined with a stunning state of the art audio visual system that allows for visitors to interact with the exhibition and experience some of the key moments of Queen Victoria’s life. The exhibits have been carefully selected by curators of the palace archives so that every piece from her tiny black silk baby shoes, through to her wedding dress and mourning clothing evokes powerful feelings and emotions from visitors. Archive footage of Queen Victoria’s own diamond jubilee celebrations will also be able to be viewed, in this Queen Elizabeth’s diamond jubilee year.
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert
From her engagement to Prince Albert the exhibition charts their family life together, through to his death in 1861. The exhibition holds music that Albert composed for Victoria, drawings they made of each other in those early days and the pieces of jewellery that he personally designed for her to wear. Many exhibits represent their family life with their children. Fabulous tiny fur trimmed, red velvet baby boots worn by Prince Albert (Later Edward VII), a stunning cradle tapestry that was commissioned for tiny Princess Louise and even an antique royal teething ring are on display.
Albert’s death was something that Queen Victoria struggled to come to terms with and her mourning clothing and incredible mourning jewellery set the tone for the entire nation at the time. On display in this stunning exhibition are some of these incredible items, for example a beautiful bracelet containing locks of Prince Albert’s hair and lots of charms in memory of the prince, to a beautiful parasol created from black lace.
Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee
Queen Victoria celebrated her diamond jubilee in 1897, and visitors will see this event in all its glory via archive film footage of the celebrations as well as modern reproductions of the original jubilee bunting that lined the streets of London. With 2012 seeing the diamond jubilee of Queen Elizabeth, it seems appropriate that the life and achievements of Britain’s other long reigning Queen are recognised and commemorated. This is a must see exhibition and will run until December 31st 2012. If you are in the city between March and December make a point of visiting Kensington Palace and experiencing this amazing exhibition of never before seen material.
Adult ticket prices are from £14.50 with children’s entry being free of charge. There are reduced ticket rates for seniors at £12.00.
