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Trail

Grand Vestibule: The British Monarchy and the World

A display highlighting the interaction between the monarchy and the wider world

photograph of current display in the Grand Vestibule

Queen Victoria welcomed visitors from all over the world in the Grand Vestibule at Windsor Castle. She also used the room to display the many gifts she received from across the globe for her Golden Jubilee in 1887.

The Grand Vestibule is still one of the first places that international guests pass through during a State Visit to Windsor. The case displays have recently been updated to include objects from the many world cultures represented in the Royal Collection. Most of these items were presented as official gifts. They are shown here to recognise and celebrate the creative skills of people from across the globe.

On display are works of art from every continent and from every reign from George III to Her Majesty The Queen. They reflect the many ways the British monarchy has interacted with the wider world: through exploration, travel, diplomacy, collecting, empire, Commonwealth and recent State Visits. Each object is a work of art in its own right, showcasing materials, techniques and traditions that are treasured by different cultures around the world.

Select a chapter below to learn more.

History of the Room

Historic displays revealed the collecting tastes of previous monarchs

Themes

Explore the themes addressed in today's display

Regions

Objects on display are grouped geographically