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A special exhibition of gifts from the commonwealth to The Queen at the Palace of Holyroodhouse to celebrate the Commonwealth Games.
This exhibition is in the past. View our current exhibitions.

Gifts to The Queen

The Queen is Head of the Commonwealth, an international organisation of 53 countries spanning every geographical region and culture.

The modern Commonwealth has its origins in the London Declaration of 1949, which stated that members would work together to achieve 'peace, liberty and progress'.

To mark the XX Commonwealth Games coming to Glasgow in 2014 this special display shows a selection of items relating to the Commonwealth Games and some of the many gifts The Queen and members of The Royal Family have received during their regular tours of Commonwealth countries.

The extraordinary variety of these gifts reflects the rich diversity of cultures represented by the two billion inhabitants of The Commonwealth.

The Queen has made 180 visits to Commonwealth countries and is the most travelled monarch in history.

The first Commonwealth tour in 1953 visited 13 countries over seven months and covered more than 40,000 miles.

As part of the 2012 Diamond Jubilee celebrations, members of the Royal Family visited every realm in The Commonwealth in support of The Queen.

This exhibition displays some of the many gifts presented to The Queen and other members of the Royal Family, by Commonwealth countries. Arranged in geographical sections, many of the gifts on show are examples of traditional craftsmanship and local culture.


The income from your ticket contributes directly to The Royal Collection Trust, a registered charity. The aims of The Royal Collection Trust are the care and conservation of the Royal Collection, and the promotion of access and enjoyment through exhibitions, publications, loans and educational activities.