Insights and behind the scenes from our palaces
Using Heritage Science to Conserve Queen Caroline's State Bed
13 September 2024
Work on Queen Caroline’s much-loved State bed, which we care for on behalf of the Royal Collection Trust, continues at Hampton Court Palace and our attentions are now drawn to protecting the feet of this priceless historic object.
Queen Victoria's petticoat magnified: conservation begins
10 October 2017
When I heard I was going to lead the project to conserve this petticoat I got very excited as it is a rare example of royal underwear, with a very personal connection to Queen Victoria. As a new acquisition for our Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection I had to start from the beginning to really get to know the object.
Caroline of Ansbach: The Brainiest Princess
03 October 2017
George Augustus of Hanover and his wife, Caroline of Ansbach arrived in London in 1714, in the train of the new king, George I, George Augustus's father.
Queen Anne's Throne Canopy Conservation: Almost There!
27 September 2017
These past few months we've been busy finishing the Queen Anne throne canopy conservation; tying together all the loose ends ready for its display at Kensington Palace.
Queen Victoria's Petticoat: a rare survivor from her Early wardrobe
19 September 2017
This magnificent petticoat is a recent acquisition to the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection and requires conservation for both storage and display purposes.
A Royal History of Princesses and Music
17 July 2017
When Caroline of Ansbach moved with the Hanoverian court to London in 1714, Britain saw the start of a new era of princess-led musical connoisseurship.
Young Queen Victoria's Undergarments in the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection
14 February 2017
By 14 February 1840 Queen Victoria and Prince Albert had been married four days. Like any just-married couple, they faced boring practicalities. However, Victoria was still daydreaming about their honeymoon.
Happy New Year! Queen Anne's Throne Canopy Conservation
10 January 2017
Happy New Year and welcome back! For our first post of 2017 we would like to take you behind the scenes and give you an insight into the trial installation we did at Hampton Court Palace in November 2016.
Throne Canopy - Going Up!
09 December 2016
We recently moved out of the conservation studio and into the (rather chilly) Queen's Guard Chamber at Hampton Court where we have been busy with the next exciting stage of our project - the trial installation.
Queen Anne's Throne Canopy Conservation: Come and See for Yourself
15 November 2016
The main conservation treatment of the cloth of state from the throne canopy has now been completed and it has been hanging in our workroom for a week while we carry out some all-important structural checks. This will confirm that our interventions have done their job and are supporting the damask as intended.