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
Coming in 2022!
In 2022, groups to Kensington Palace will be able to visit this exciting new exhibition of private photos taken by members of the Royal Family including works by celebrated fashion photographer and husband to Princess Margaret, Antony Armstrong-Jones.
For almost 200 years, the medium of photography has created an unprecedented intimacy between crown and subject. Learn how Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s enthusiastic patronage of photography during its infancy helped this new invention receive greater scientific and public attention. On display will be examples of some of the earliest photographic images collected from the Royal Collection including a page from Queen Victoria's private negatives albums depicting Prince Albert.
From the Victorian era to the Twentieth Century, the display will explore the impact of Cecil Beaton and Norman Parkinson’s work. Images of Her Majesty The Queen among other loyal sitters will reveal how their work shaped changing public perceptions of the Royal Family.
They may be some of the most photographed people in the world, but the royal family also have a passion for photography. A selection of images taken by members of the family will be exhibited, including works by Antony Armstrong-Jones, husband to Princess Margaret, who's images showed a different, informal side to the monarchy. Included in this display will be the infamous image of Princess Margaret posing in a bathtub wearing a Tiara alongside lesser-known images.
Plan your visit
Originally set to open in spring this year, the exhibition commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Field of Cloth of Gold, Gold and Glory: Henry VIII and the French King, will open in May 2021.
Focusing on the events of 1520, the exhibition held in the heart of Tudor court, Hampton Court Palace, will reveal the characters and stories behind the organisation and festivities. Various paintings from the event itself will be on display, including a never-seen-before 16th century tapestry representing people of colour at the European royal courts, providing a window into the largely unknown world of black Tudors. In addition to paintings and tapestries, visitors will also be able to explore rare surviving objects from the event, among which will be the original letter sent to Thomas Wolsey from François I requesting a meeting with Henry VIII.
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In spring 2021, Hampton Court Palace will become a kaleidoscope of colours as thousands of tulips bloom throughout the gardens and the courtyards. A special trail will guide visitors around the stunning displays, revealing the history of the tulips, believed to date back to Mary II (1662-1694). Our expert
gardening team will also be on hand to provide tips and information to keen gardeners during their visit.
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2020 marked 200 years since the death of George III. George grew up at Kew Palace, but later in his life, it became a place of incarceration and torment during his periods of mental illness. Through objects and interpretation in the palace rooms, explore George III’s illness, treatment and public attitudes to how we think and talk about mental illness today.
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