The glittering world of Britain’s most fashionable royal couples will be brought to life this spring in a landmark exhibition at The King’s Gallery. “The Edwardians: Age of Elegance” promises an unprecedented glimpse into the lives of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, alongside King George V and Queen Mary, through more than 300 rare and precious objects.
Opening April 11, 2025, the exhibition marks the Royal Collection Trust’s first major exploration of the Edwardian period, with nearly half the items never before displayed publicly. Visitors will discover everything from diamond-encrusted Cartier accessories to intimate family photographs, painting a vivid picture of an era poised between tradition and modernity.
Among the most intriguing items is a blue enamel Fabergé cigarette case featuring a diamond snake biting its tail – a gift to Edward VII from his favorite mistress. The exhibition also includes Oscar Wilde’s personally inscribed poetry collection and pioneering photography by early female photographers Mary Steen and Alice Hughes.
“This was a transition period, with Britain poised on the brink of the modern age and Europe edging towards war,” explains curator Kathryn Jones. “Our royal couples lived lavish, sociable, fast-paced lives, embracing new trends and technologies. Yet, in their collecting, we also see a need to retain tradition and record the rapidly changing world around them.”
The displays recreate the famously cluttered interiors of Marlborough House and Sandringham, where decorative objects and family photographs covered every surface. The exhibition traces the era’s journey from its glamorous heights through to the sobering impact of World War I, which transformed the monarchy into a more restrained institution for the 20th century.
The exhibition runs until November 23, 2025, offering visitors a rare opportunity to experience the opulence and complexity of an age that helped shape modern Britain.
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