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EXHIBITION

Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography

Black and white portrait of Princess Margaret, 1967
Princess Margaret, 1967 Photograph: Snowdon (RCIN 2335975) ©
  • Next event: Saturday 3 Aug 2024
    Daily (Friday 17 May 2024 - Sunday 6 Oct 2024)
  • Adult £19.00
    Young Person (18-24) £12.00
    Child (5-17) £9.50
    Disabled £9.50
    Access companion Free
    Under 5 Free
    £1 tickets - for those on Universal Credit and other named benefits (17 May-8 July only). Read more about the £1 ticket offer.
  • The Queen’s Gallery has now become The King’s Gallery.
  • Adults, Groups (15+ people)

For centuries, portraiture has played a vital role in shaping the public’s perception of the Royal Family. This exhibition charts the evolution of royal portrait photography from the 1920s to the present day, bringing together more than 150 photographic prints, proofs and documents from the Royal Collection and the Royal Archives.

★★★★ Awash with glamour

The Telegraph

Trailer ©

Discover works from the most celebrated royal photographers, from Cecil Beaton and Dorothy Wilding to Annie Leibovitz and Rankin. Explore some of the close relationships between royal sitters and photographers, seen most clearly through the lens of Antony Armstrong-Jones (later Lord Snowdon), who married Princess Margaret in 1960.

The exhibition sheds light on behind-the-scenes processes, from photographers’ handwritten annotations to never-before-seen correspondence with members of the Royal Family and their staff, revealing the stories behind some of the most celebrated photographs ever taken of the Royal Family.

This exhibition is taking place at The King's Gallery, Buckingham Palace, formerly known as The Queen’s Gallery.

Colour Portraits of Princess Margaret by Cecil Beaton ©

Exhibition highlights

    Shop the exhibition

    Discover an array of souvenirs including a calendar, notecards and earrings, all inspired by the wonderful photography on display.

    Shop the range

    The income from your ticket contributes directly to The Royal Collection Trust, a registered charity. The aims of The Royal Collection Trust are the care and conservation of the Royal Collection, and the promotion of access and enjoyment through exhibitions, publications, loans and educational activities.