Queen Victoria's Bicentenary

By CW Contributor on 9/4/2019

This is the bicentenary year of Queen Victoria's birth and to celebrate a number of museums in London are staging events that aim to cast new light on one of our most fascinating and contradictory monarchs.

Queen Victoria exhibitions, Kensington Palace

To mark the bicentenary of her birth, Kensington Palace is launching two exhibitions examining the life of Queen Victoria. One will display beloved items from her childhood and the other will try to lift the veil on her private life and beliefs.

WHEN

24 May 2019 – 31 Jan 2020, Monday – Sunday: 10:00-18:00

WHERE

Kensington Palace, Kensington Gardens, London, W8 4PX

Queen Victoria's Palace, Buckingham Palace

In 1837 the newly crowned Queen Victoria, aged just 18, moved into the empty Buckingham Palace, uninhabited since the death of her uncle 7 years previously. This exhibition tells how the young queen transformed the palace into the iconic royal residence it is today.

WHEN

Daily. Saturday, 20 Jul 2019 - Sunday, 29 Sep 2019

WHERE

Buckingham Palace

Events at Victoria and Albert Museum

The Victorian and Albert Museum are putting on a medley of events to celebrate the bicentenary of their namesakes. A free display will bring together objects that the couple gifted and loaned to the museum and a short course starting 3 May will explore the material culture of the Victorian age. And look out for Queen Victoria's sapphire and diamond coronet, on display from 11 April.

WHEN

Events run until 1 September

WHERE

Victoria and Albert Museum

Royalty and Splendour Tours, Houses of Parliament

Tours taking in the House of Lords, Westminster Hall, St Stephen's Hall and the Central Lobby are running on request. The tour lasts around 75 minutes and will take in the opulent Victorian art and architecture beloved and influenced by Prince Albert, who was president of the Fine Arts Commission. There is the option to round off the experience with a glass of champagne.

WHEN

Tours are available on request to private groups from the UK and overseas, usually on Saturdays and on weekdays during parliamentary recesses

WHERE

Houses of Parliament