‘There will soon be only five kings left - the Kings of Diamonds, Heart, Spades and Clubs, and the King of England’. 

- King Farouk of Egypt

For this conference our big theme is the British monarchy and its relationship to the modern world.  Papers will address a range of inter-related topics covering the period from 1688 to the present day, including:

• the difference between British and Continental monarchies
• the global reach of the British monarchy
• the relationship between royalty and the media
• monarchical dress and material culture
• the portrayal of monarchs in film and theatre

With keynote speakers:

Professor Sir David Cannadine (Princeton University)
Professor Maya Jasanoff (Harvard University)
Professor Emeritus Aileen Ribeiro (Courtauld Institute of Art)

Delegates will also have the opportunity to attend an exclusive tour of Kensington Palace, a musical performance and a gala dinner in the King's State Apartments.

You may also be interested in, The Art of Monarchy, a collaboration between BBC Radio 4 and the Royal Collection to mark Her Majesty The Queen's Diamond Jubilee. The series and website illuminate the long history of the Monarchy in an eight-part series presented by BBC Arts Editor Will Gompertz.

The project explores the monarchs who have ruled these islands through the works of art they have acquired.