Royals are all art
The best new exhibitions showing an unseen side of the Windsors
If you ever wanted to see another side of Prince Charles, now’s your chance. The first full exhibition of the Prince of Wales’ watercolour paintings is on until next month. “I am under no illusion that my sketches represent great art or a burgeoning talent,” Charles said somewhat modestly. “They represent, more than anything else, my particular form of ‘photograph album’ and, as such, mean a great deal to me.”
He’s not alone – from the Royal Family’s candid photography, to the Queen’s priceless collection of artworks, here’s five must-see new exhibitions:
HRH The Prince of Wales’s Watercolours
One of Charles’ watercolours. Pic: Clarence House Instagram Showcasing 79 of Charles’ watercolours, it’s the largest-ever display of his art. The exhibition is at The Garrison Chapel, Chelsea Barracks, London, until February 14. Images are from Scotland to Provence and Tanzania, one of the prince’s favourite locations. Entry is free. For more information, visit here.
Life Through a Royal Lens
Princess Margaret, Lord Snowdon and family. Pic: Norman Parkinson Archive/Royal Collection Trust Kensington Palace is hosting an exhibition of photographs of the Royal Family from the stiff formality of Victorian pictures and glamorous shots of the Queen by Cecil Beaton, right through to photos taken by the public. Curators are calling for people to share their special images of the Royal Family from around the world. The competition closes January 31 and the exhibition opens March 4. For more information, visit here.
Platinum Jubilee: The Queen’s Accession
The wonderful Wildings. Pic: Royal Collection Trust. More beautiful images are on display at Buckingham Palace, to tie in with the Platinum Jubilee. The State Rooms will feature an exhibition looking at The Queen’s accession in February 1952, including the portraits taken by Dorothy Wilding, above. The display opens July 22. For tickets, click here.
Masterpieces from Buckingham Palace
Titian’s Madonna. Pic: Royal Collection Trust Some of Buckingham Palace’s treasures are at the Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, including works by Rembrandt, Titian, Van Dyck and Rubens. The exhibition runs until February 13 and then opens March 25 at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh. Also at Holyroodhouse this summer, is a display of outfits worn by the Queen at jubilees. It opens on July 14. For tickets, visit here.
Platinum Jubilee: The Queen’s Coronation
The Coronation Gown. Pic: RCT At Windsor Castle, an exhibition celebrating the Queen’s coronation will feature the Coronation Dress and Robe of Estate, designed by Norman Hartnell. This is on our must-see list. Opening July 7, for tickets, visit here.
William and Catherine get back to work
Meanwhile, Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge made some royal art at The Foundling Museum this week. The pair created a design on canvas with giant pencils. The Foundling Hospital is the UK’s first children’s charity and the Duke and Duchess shared their concerns for children being constantly moved around in care. Catherine, who looked smart in a blue coat and her favourite Jigsaw trousers, said the lack of a stable home for a child did long-term damage.
They then headed to Lancashire, where they visited the charity Church on the Street, which gives support for those struggling with homelessness, addiction and mental health issues. There, William comforted 11-year-old Deacon Glover who had lost his mother, pictured above. “I know how you feel,” he said. “It gets easier.”
Happy birthday, Sophie
Also hard at work this week, was Sophie, Countess of Wessex, who spent her 57th birthday volunteering at a vaccination centre in Surrey. She is Grand President of St John Ambulance and it gifted her flowers for the occasion on Thursday.
She has just returned from Qatar, where she had been working with Orbis, as Global Ambassador for the agency for the prevention of blindness. Whilst there, she met with more great women - members of the Afghan female robotics team, pictured, who were evacuated from Kabul last year and are now studying in Doha.
And another of our favourite royal women celebrated her birthday this week – as mighty Mia Tindall turned eight on Monday. Happy birthday Sophie and Mia!
Andrew and Harry’s woes continue
A royal duo not enjoying positive headlines this week, is Prince Andrew and Prince Harry. The Duke of York’s woes continue as Buckingham Palace deleted his Twitter profile and updated the royal website to reflect his new status as a “private citizen”. His Instagram page was also made private. Even a secondary school in Canada named Prince Andrew High School decided to rebrand, “to build our identity as a positive, supportive and respectful community.”
Harry also continues to battle for his rights as it was revealed he is threatening to sue the Home Office over refusal to let him pay for police protection when he visits the UK. “In the absence of such protection, Prince Harry and his family are unable to return to his home,” a spokesperson said. It throws into doubt the Queen meeting Lilibet and the family returning for the Jubilee.
Let them eat your cake
Forget the Victoria Sponge, here’s your chance to create a pudding fit for the Queen. Fortnum & Mason has launched a competition for a perfect pudding, or cake, for the Jubilee. Entries close February 4, so get a whisk on. You’ll have to please a panel of judges including Mary Berry and Buckingham Palace’s head chef Mark Flanagan. We’re getting our aprons on…