To help mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations, the Historic Royal Palaces are preparing to launch a series of never-before-seen exhibitions as well as many other activities to celebrate Her Majesty’s 60 years on the throne. Here’s what to expect:
Kensington Palace
Having recently undergone a £12m refurbishment, Kensington Palace will re-open on 26th March 2012 with a permanent exhibition called ‘Victoria Revealed’. The exhibition, held in the very rooms where Queen Victoria lived, visitors can see her personal collection of dresses, diaries, paintings and wedding gifts.
Hampton Court Palace
Henry VIII’s Tudor Crown has been re-created and will be on show in the new ‘Crown and Dynasty Exhibition’.
Kew Palace
The Georgian Kitchens at Kew Palace will be open for the first time in 200 years with hosted tours of the kitchens available to all visitors.
Windsor Castle
To celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Windsor Castle will play host to an exhibition of 60 photographs taken of the Queen during her sixty year reign marking both official occasions and at relaxed family gatherings
Palace of Holyroodhouse
On display in the Queen’s Gallery between 16th March and 16th September 2012 will be some of the finest treasures from the Royal Collection reflecting the tastes of monarchs and other members of the Royal Family who have helped shape one of the world’s greatest art collections. Visitors to the exhibition will get to see paintings, drawings, miniatures, watercolours, manuscripts, furniture, sculpture, ceramics and jewellery spanning over five centuries. Highlights will include paintings by Rembrandt, Canaletto and Monet as well as the Imperial Easter Eggs by Fabergé.
Buckingham Palace
If you’re visiting the Palace between 4 May and 7th October 2012, you’ll get to see the amazing Leonardo da Vinci: Anatomy Exhibition. Leonardo da Vinci has long been recognised as one of the greatest artists of the Renaissance but he also had a great understanding of human anatomy. A variety of drawings by Leonardo da Vinci and other private papers were thought to have been lost to the world for over 400 years but today they remain part of The Royal Collection’s greatest treasures.
Summer Opening of Buckingham Palace
Between August and September 2012 (dates to be confirmed), Buckingham Palace will again open its doors to the public for its Summer Opening. A spectacular exhibition will form part of the Jubilee Celebrations focusing on the many ways in which diamonds have been used by British monarchs over the last 200 years. The exhibition Diamonds: A Jubilee Celebration will display a number of The Queen’s personal jewels including those that she has inherited or acquired during her reign. You will see how these stones have undergone a number of transformations, been re-cut or incorporated into new settings during their fascinating history.
The best way to see these wonderful exhibitions and to join in with all the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations is on London City Breaks. Why not combine your city breaks with a trip to the West End and catch a hit show on London Theatre Breaks. There are a number of coach holidays available on Door2Tour.com to book online 24 hours a day/7 days a week or you can call the team on 0845 956 9686 to find out more.