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The Art of Monarchy
The Art of Monarchy

A collaboration with BBC Radio 4 to mark Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

Friend or Foe

For centuries, understanding enemies and forging alliances has been an essential component of statecraft. The Monarchy’s role in this complex process is explored through objects spanning almost 650 years.

War Office

HM Queen Elizabeth II (b. 1926) when Princess Elizabeth trains as an A.T.S Officer at a Training Centre in Camberley, Surrey

François Clouet (c. 1520-1572)

Mary, Queen of Scots (1542-87)

Johann Hass (active 1621-1650)

The Exeter Salt (The Salt of State)

Edward III's Sword

British School, 16th century

The Field of the Cloth of Gold

Eduard Uhlenhuth (c.1853-1919)

Royal family group photograph at Coburg following the wedding of Princess Victoria Melita of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and Grand Duke Ernest of Hesse, April 1894

Mary, Queen of Scots (1542-87)

A catte

Ministry of Defence [Great Britain]

Facsimile of Victoria Cross metal

? English

Great George

English

Garter star

Henry VIII, King of England (1491-1547)

The Suffolk Garter Book

Cundall & Howlett

Private Jesse Lockhurst and Private Thomas O'Brien

Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830)

Pope Pius VII (1742-1823)
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Official Royal Residences

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.