Kensington Palace, one of six palaces cared for by independent charity Historic Royal Palaces, has expanded its Private Early Morning Tour offering to include an exclusive viewing of one of two new exhibitions celebrating the 200th anniversary of Queen Victoria’s birth; Victoria: A Royal Childhood and Victoria: Woman and Crown.
Available before the palace opens to the public from 9-10am, the private tours take guests on a journey through the palace guided by a Kensington Palace Explainer, walking in the footsteps of the British monarchy who have lived in the palace over the centuries, including Queen Victoria, who was born at the palace in 1819.
Through a re-presentation of the Kensington Palace rooms Victoria called home, Victoria: A Royal Childhood reveals the Princess’s journey to the crown, with the spaces brought to life with playful interpretation and interactive displays to help guests uncover history right where it happened.
A new exhibition in the Pigott Gallery, Victoria: Woman and Crown examines her role as monarch, considering the private woman behind the public figure, with a display of rare survivals from Victoria’s private wardrobe for the first time.
Following the private tours, guests are then free to further enjoy the palace and landscaped gardens at their leisure once Kensington Palace opens to the public, or alternatively enjoy the tour before a daytime conference or event in the Pavilion.
Alex Donnelly-Palmer, events & operations manager at Kensington Palace, said: “We are so excited to have opened the doors to our new exhibitions celebrating Queen Victoria’s life here at the palace, and there’s no more immersive way to experience these than with a private tour before the palace opens its doors for the day!
“Clients booking private tours help contribute to Historic Royal Palaces’ charitable cause, as income raised from all commercial activities is reinvested in conservation, public access and educational activities to ensure the palace continues to be well-maintained and open for all to enjoy.”
