Queen Victoria exhibitions, Kensington Palace
Two exhibitions at Kensington Palace will explore the life of Queen Victoria on the bicentenary of her birth
(c) Historic Royal Palaces
To mark the bicentenary of her birth, Kensington Palace is launching two exhibitions examining the life of Queen Victoria. One will display beloved items from her childhood and the other will try to lift the veil on her private life and beliefs.
Kensington Palace was Victoria’s childhood home, but almost as soon as she was crowned she moved into the empty Buckingham Palace, keen to start her new life as monarch at just 18 years old. Her love affair with Prince Albert is well known. The couple had nine children and 42 grandchildren, but on Albert’s death in 1861 Victoria went into mourning. She would wear black for the rest of her life and shrink from the limelight.
Victoria: Woman and Crown will display a selection of Victoria’s clothes, including her fashionable silver shoes. It will also explore her complex relationship with India and the men she formed friendships with, including her servant Abdul Karim, who taught her to read and write Urdu.
The adjacent exhibition Victoria: A Royal Childhood will examine her sheltered youth under the close watch of her mother, the Duchess of Kent. Included in this exhibition will be a scrapbook of mementos, kept by her German governess, which goes on display to the public for the first time.
Exhibition entry included in palace admission,
Kensington Palace was Victoria’s childhood home, but almost as soon as she was crowned she moved into the empty Buckingham Palace, keen to start her new life as monarch at just 18 years old. Her love affair with Prince Albert is well known. The couple had nine children and 42 grandchildren, but on Albert’s death in 1861 Victoria went into mourning. She would wear black for the rest of her life and shrink from the limelight.
Victoria: Woman and Crown will display a selection of Victoria’s clothes, including her fashionable silver shoes. It will also explore her complex relationship with India and the men she formed friendships with, including her servant Abdul Karim, who taught her to read and write Urdu.
The adjacent exhibition Victoria: A Royal Childhood will examine her sheltered youth under the close watch of her mother, the Duchess of Kent. Included in this exhibition will be a scrapbook of mementos, kept by her German governess, which goes on display to the public for the first time.
Exhibition entry included in palace admission,
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| What | Queen Victoria exhibitions, Kensington Palace |
| Where | Kensington Palace, Kensington Gardens, London , W8 4PX | MAP |
| Nearest tube | Notting Hill Gate (underground) |
| When |
24 May 19 – 31 Jan 20, Monday-Sunday: 10:00-18:00 |
| Price | £17.5 |
| Website | Click here for more information |