A brand new exhibition exploring the Royal Family through photography
A brand new exhibition exploring the Royal Family through photography
9 April 2021. Following the death of His Royal Highness, there will be changes to opening hours for the gardens at Hampton Court Palace and Hillsborough Castle. For further information, please read our FAQs page
Opening in 2021, Life Through a Royal Lens brings some of the most iconic photographs ever taken of the Royal Family to Kensington Palace.
For almost 200 years the medium of photography has created an unprecedented intimacy between Sovereign and subjects. The new display explores the British Royal Family’s enduring relationship with the camera; from Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s patronage of photography during its infancy to lesser known intimate family portraits, spanning from the 19th century right up until the present day.
Experience the impact of photographer Cecil Beaton – one of the great shapers of royal image in the twentieth century - and his work in redefining modern royal portraiture.
View stunning images of Her Majesty the Queen and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, among Beaton’s most faithful sitters, to discover how his work influenced public perceptions of the royals.
Take home your own sovereign souvenir
Channel your inner-royal and pose for your own photo against an iconic Beaton-style backdrop.
#RoyalLens
Going on display at Kensington Palace for the first time will also be a selection of images taken by Royal Family members themselves, including the work of celebrated photographer and former resident of the Palace, Lord Snowdon, husband of Princess Margaret.
All images: © Cecil Beaton / Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Discover the story of Princess Victoria, the young girl destined to be queen, in the rooms where she was born and raised at Kensington Palace.
Closed
Kensington Palace
Included in palace admission (members go free)
Wander through the lavish rooms of the King's State Apartments, each one grander than the last, at Kensington Palace.
Closed
Kensington Palace
Included in palace admission (members go free)
Explore the beautiful private rooms at Kensington Palace where Mary II once took her meals, relaxed and entertained.
Closed
Kensington Palace
Included in palace admission (members go free)
These official gifts and souvenirs are all inspired by Kensington Palace's rich royal stories, past and present.
From £7.99
Originally the childhood home of Queen Victoria, later home to Princess Margaret and Princess Diana and now the official residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Kensington Palace is one of the more fashionable and stylish of our palaces.
From £14.99
Enjoy fine dining outdoors with our magnificent picnic hampers. Discover our luxury hampers and exquisite picnic blankets.
From £19.99
