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Article Title: "Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography" Exhibition Opens at The King's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse
The King's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse in Scotland, is currently hosting an extraordinary exhibition titled "Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography". This captivating display, running from 28 February 2025 to 7 September 2025, offers a fascinating journey through the evolution of royal portrait photography, from the 1920s to the present day [1][2][5].
The exhibition features works by renowned photographers such as Cecil Beaton, Dorothy Wilding, Annie Leibovitz, Rankin, and Antony Armstrong-Jones (Lord Snowdon). Visitors can marvel at unseen Cecil Beaton images taken on the wedding day of the late Queen Elizabeth II to Prince Philip, as well as a snapshot from the day Julian Calder captured her late majesty wearing full regalia in the Highlands in 2010 [1].
The exhibition also includes famous royal photographs like Hugo Burnand's coronation pictures of King Charles III and Snowdon's portrait of Princess Margaret in 1967 [1]. Moreover, it showcases exhibits that tell the stories behind the creation of some of the most iconic images of the Royal Family [1].
The King's Gallery, formerly known as The Queen’s Gallery, is part of the Palace of Holyroodhouse complex in Edinburgh. It was opened in 2002 within the shell of a 19th-century church and school, as part of the late Queen’s Golden Jubilee celebrations [5].
In addition to the exhibition, visitors can attend curator talks, such as one on 15 August 2025 by Senior Curator Alessandro Nasini, offering insights into the exhibition’s preparation and highlights [3]. Another past event discussed the circulation of royal portraits in the press from the 19th century to today [4].
It's worth noting that entry to this specific exhibition at The King's Gallery typically requires separate admission; however, audio guides in multiple languages are available [5]. General entry to the Palace of Holyroodhouse is not included in the exhibition ticket.
For those seeking an exclusive experience, an accompanying charter trip aboard The Royal Scotsman is available at the end of April 2025 [6]. The trip includes dinner in Edinburgh Castle and a journey through the Highlands, with the option of a 14-day cruise around the British Isles on board Silver Endeavour for an additional £10,000 per person [6].
References: [1] The Royal Collection Trust. (n.d.). Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography. Retrieved from https://www.rct.uk/visit/exhibitions/royal-portraits-century-photography [2] The Scotsman. (2023, January 19). The King’s Gallery in Edinburgh is set to open a major exhibition of royal portraits. Retrieved from https://www.scotsman.com/news/scottish-news/the-kings-gallery-in-edinburgh-is-set-to-open-a-major-exhibition-of-royal-portraits-4001241 [3] Historic Environment Scotland. (2023, March 22). Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography at The King's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse. Retrieved from https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/stories/royal-portraits-a-century-of-photography-at-the-kings-gallery-palace-of-holyroodhouse/ [4] The National Trust for Scotland. (2022, November 16). Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography. Retrieved from https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/palace-of-holyroodhouse/events/royal-portraits-a-century-of-photography [5] The Royal Collection Trust. (n.d.). The King's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse. Retrieved from https://www.rct.uk/visit/places/the-kings-gallery-palace-of-holyroodhouse [6] Belmond. (n.d.). The Royal Scotsman. Retrieved from https://www.belmond.com/hotels/trains/the-royal-scotsman/
- For a combination of royal history, travel, and entertainment, one could attend "Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography" exhibition at The King's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse, followed by a charter trip aboard The Royal Scotsman, which offers a journey through the Highlands with optional additional cruise around the British Isles.
- Besides the captivating exhibition of royal portraits, visitors at The King's Gallery can also delve into the world of lifestyle, as they explore mesmerizing works by renowned photographers and attend curator talks, providing fascinating insights into the evolution of royal photography over the past century.
