What do you give the woman who has everything? A bag of salt or a totem pole. Sarah Riches unwraps Buckingham Palace’s new Royal Gifts exhibition
Buckingham Palace is throwing open its doors once more, giving visitors the chance to explore its magnificent State Rooms. While the Queen uses the rooms to receive, reward and entertain visitors such as dignitaries, each summer the public is invited to an exhibition. Previous summers have seen the rooms display The Queen’s Coronation (2013), A Royal Welcome (2015) and the Queen’s gowns in Fashioning a Reign (2016), which marked the monarch’s 90th birthday year.
This year, the rooms will be dedicated to presents given to the Queen. While perishable items are usually used or given to charity, the non-perishable gifts that are not donated to charity are stored according to curatorial advice or placed on long-term loan to cultural institutions.
CURATING THE EXHIBITION
Many of the gifts given to the Queen have become part of the Royal Collection, and are displayed in 15 royal residences across the UK – most of which are open to the public. Royal Gifts (from 22 Jul) is the first display of the Queen’s gift collection.
The exhibition’s curator, Sally Good sir, says: ‘A small number of official gifts have been on display at Buckingham Palace during the 24 years it has been open to the public, but never on this scale. More than 250 objects from over 100 countries are on display to explore Her Majesty’s roles as Head of State, Head of the Commonwealth and Head of Nation. The exhibition includes gifts given during State visits, overseas tours and official engagements, plus those presented to mark significant moments in the Queen’s life.
Denne historien er fra July 2017-utgaven av Where London.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra July 2017-utgaven av Where London.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Wish You Where Here
As Pink Floyd unleash their multi-sensory exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum, Sam Rogg explores the kaleidoscopic past of one of the world’s greatest bands.
Celebrate Harry Potter's Anniversary
This month marks 20 years since the fi rst Harry Potter book was published. Dominic Wells explains how you can fall under the spell of the stories
Music To Your Ears
The beat is back at Borderline, a live music venue that has been transformed. Now it’s set to impress a new generation of music lovers.
The Director's Cut
The Ferryman, directed by Oscar-winner Sam Mendes, is the fastest-selling show at the Royal Court theatre. Sarah Riches finds out how to get tickets.
A Recipe For Success
If you’re looking for top-notch food and a family-friendly atmosphere, visit Sophie’s Steakhouse & Bar, says Sam Rogg.
Hugh Bonneville
Bonneville is starring in the film Paddington 2, having previously appeared in Notting Hill, The Monuments Men and the acclaimed TV series Downton Abbey. Born in Paddington, he now lives in West Sussex
The Secret's Out
Top-secret bunkers, abandoned Tube stations and London’s first skyscraper: Kohinoor Sahota discovers hidden locations across the capital,
Music To Your Ears
Emeli Sandé, Noel Gallagher, Roger Waters and Eric Clapton are just a few of the famous faces you can see perform live at music festivals across the capital this month
Start The Music
Start the music It wouldn’t be summer without music festivals. Sarah Riches looks at some of the big names that are coming to London
Catch Of The Day
As the celebrity chef Rick Stein launches his first London restaurant, we cast our nets across the city and crack open the oyster shell to find the pearls of the capital’s seafood restaurants, says Emma Levine
