sign in sign up
<<
Home , Hampton Court Palace, Hillsborough Castle, Historic Royal Palaces, Kensington Gardens, Lucy Worsley, Royal court

promises to be a very special, particularly year for Historic Royal 2015 for Hampton Court , which will Welcome to the be celebrating its 500th birthday. Cardinal Wolsey, King Henry VIII’s trusted advisor, began work on the building ’ in 1515. As Wolsey fell from grace, Hampton Court press office became the Tudor ’s pleasure palace and 500 years later, the palace retains the magnificence and splendour of its royal past. In 2015, will host a year of celebrations offering istoric Facebook pages and tweeting visitors the chance to explore 500 years of history in a single day. To 1000 years of history. celebrate the 500th birthday, the palace will be specially decorated and Royal costumed interpreters will bring Hampton Court to life, involving visitors e want to make sure in the gossip and intrigue of the court. Spectacular events will take place Palaces that you know about throughout the year, offering visitors the chance to travel back sessions in time in is the W Tudor cookery everything we have planned. with live performances, music, storytelling and family trails, alongside independent perennial favourites such as jousting and , a We know that you are Henry VIII’s kitchens. At Easter, a specially commissioned filmMagic projected Garden charity that immersed in deadlines and onto the palace façade will tell the story of how the iconic building has looks after working under pressure, so this changed over the past five centuries. In the summer, the the new adventure playground inspired by heraldry and featuring ‘royal guide is aimed at helping you get beasts’ including , dragons and will open for children of all of , Hampton Court the most out of us. ages. Even Henry VIII’s wine fountain (faithfully recreated) will be flowing Palace, the , for the occasion! Palace, ind out who you can interview At our other palaces, visitors will be able to enjoy a range of special Palace and Hillsborough Fabout our exciting upcoming exhibitions, events and in activities. Northern Guided Ireland, tours will be of availableour newest throughout property, the projects, how to organise a press Hillsborough Castle. Our aim is to help , summer, as work continues towards our long-term vision ‘Tudors to onopen Tour’ up this everyone explore the story visit and how we facilitate fascinating royal residence for everyone to enjoy. We will also be taking of how monarchs and people filming and photography. the palaces ‘on the road’ for the very first time, with If you’re looking for a story or a fun and immersive family experience, heading to Tatton Park in have shaped society, in some

Cheshire in May. of the greatest palaces ever inspiration check out our plans for the year ahead! We look forward to welcoming you to one (or more) built. That’s where we of the palaces this year! come in… he press office handles Tall media enquiries related Get in touch! to the palaces, from issuing Call the Press Office on news stories and photographs of +44 (0)203 166 6166 or email [email protected]. our exhibitions to facilitating We even tweet at Michael Day documentaries and feature films @HRP_PressOffice (including Pirates of the Chief , Caribbean!), manning our Historic Royal Palaces

3 500th year, we will be bringing the epic sweep of its history to life, offering visitors Hampton Court Palace’s the chance to experience 500 years of history in one day, and celebrating the th survival of this magnificent building. Programme 500 birthday oin us as we celebrate our 500th year with an exciting series of displays, special events, and activities for all the family. The palace will be ready for a big celebration, and the famous wine fountain will flow once more, as we offer

up a toast to 500 years of Hampton Court In the Tudor State Apartments, a digital from Easter. – inspired by the ’s Explore 500 years of history in a day with magnificent Abraham – will our best ever programme of immersive live explore the ‘warp and weft’ of Hampton performance: from Easter, the palace will Court Palace’s history. be peopled with Kings, Queens and Over the May Bank Holiday weekend, a , bringing Hampton Court’s ‘Time Quake’ quest will be held for families, history to life throughout the courtyards inviting visitors to travel back in time and and gardens. Witness ’s meet some of the key characters who attempted flight towards Henry VIII to save have shaped the Hampton Court’s history. herself, stumble upon Charles I and Oliver Specially written for the anniversary year by Cromwell deep in conversation, and see author Damien Dibben, an exciting reward ’s giant porter brought to life in awaits those who complete the journey! the Tudor rooms he once guarded, where his portrait now hangs. The summer will see two large garden parties staged, celebrating a ‘palace of two Our 500th birthday season begins at halves’ and giving visitors the opportunity Easter with spectacular weekend of to explore great moments from Hampton celebrations, culminating in a state of the Court’s past. Bringing the Tudor palace to 3D film projection onto the palace’s private meetings between Mary I and life, King Henry VIII will put on a show to marks the south façade, and taking a kaleidoscopic Elizabeth I; Elizabeth and her many suitors; impress the ambassadors, with a 500th year journey through the building, re-modelling Charles I and Cromwell. It is the place where magnificent Tudor joust, dancing in the and life of the palace in four ‘movements’. since Cardinal died, where Charles I was Elizabethan , and the Tudor 2015 Wolsey began imprisoned, and where William III suffered a Kitchens cooking up a storm. Meanwhile, to build Hampton Court Palace. fatal accident. Shakespeare performed in in a special themed weekend, the Great Hall; Handel played in the Chapel masques, music and merriment will ring For half a millennium, the palace he Royal, and Jerome K Jerome’s Three Men in out across the palace’s beautiful built to entertain a pleasure loving a Boat got lost in the famous maze. formal gardens. King Henry VIII has stood on the This is a place where history was made - Throughout the year, we’ll be recruiting bank of the Thames: a symbol of a centre of royal life for over 200 years, young people and families to help us create power, prestige and majesty. and a building which is still full of life a ‘new history’ of Hampton Court – in film! today as one of Britain’s most popular and A year of ‘movie making’ activities and The palace has been a witness to the best-loved visitor attractions. A highly workshops will culminate in the creation of honeymoons of Henry VIII, Mary I and skilled team of craftspeople, gardeners, a film by Aardman Productions, telling the Charles II, and the birth and of surveyors, conservators and curators help story of one of Britain’s most famous Henry VIII’s much longed for heir. It has to preserve the building and its contents palaces, using the words of the visitors been the setting for confrontations and for future generations. In this, the palace’s who join us in 2015.

4 5 Tower of Banqueting Kensington Kew London House Palace Palace

or over 900 years the Tower of he Banqueting House on nce a countryside retreat for et within the iconic gardens at London has dominated the City is the sole surviving King William III and Queen Mary, Kew, step into this tiny dolls of London and is still one of the complete building of Whitehall was at the house of a palace and F capital’s most prominent Palace, the sovereign’s principal epicentre of royal life in the 17th experience the joys and sorrows landmarks and a world-famous visitor Tresidence from 1530 until the reign of Oand 18th centuries, and played host to the Sof King George III and his family, told attraction. Throughout its long history, the King William III. courts of the late Stuart and Georgian through an engaging soundscape and Tower has served as a royal palace and monarchs. A royal residence for over 300 displays of fascinating personal artefacts. Whitehall Palace was once the splendid fortress, and place of execution, an years, with long associations with fashion, Originally built in 1631 for a Flemish Tudor residence of King Henry VIII, the arsenal, , and jewel the palace is now home to some of the most merchant, it was first acquired for royal Banqueting House is a later addition to the house. Today, London’s great royal fortress famous treasures in the Royal Ceremonial occupation by King George II who thought palace built by the renowned 17th century is home to some of the most potent Dress Collection, often to be seen on it very suitable as a lodging for his three architect for King James I to symbols of British history: the display in exhibitions within the splendid eldest daughters, Anne, Caroline and hold state occasions including masques, Warders, ravens and Jewels. State Rooms. Amelia. In 2015, join us as we share some of plays and state banquets. Sadly, the the untold stories of the young Georgian Around 1078, majority of the palace’s buildings were lost The Queen’s State Apartments – amongst princesses who called Kew their home, and began work on a great stone palace with in the devastating fire of 1698 leaving just the oldest rooms in the palace – are home discover some of the accomplishments walls 15 feet thick, known since the the Banqueting House remaining. to a display about the later Stuart monarchs, required of the daughters of the king. medieval period as the White Tower. from the to the death The Banqueting House is perhaps most It now houses a collection of historic royal of Queen Anne. Meanwhile, the story of the In our recently restored Royal Kitchens, famous for being the site of the execution arms and armour belonging to the Royal glittering court of King George II and open the door to a lost space, left of King Charles I in 1649, the only member Armouries, including the magnificent Queen Caroline is brought to life within untouched since Queen Charlotte’s death of Britain’s to be executed. armour of Henry VIII. The striking outer William ’s opulent King’s State at the palace in 1818, and delve into the , the , defences of the fortress were established Apartments. Last year saw the Privy and tale of these historic royal kitchens, the then made the palace his and enlarged by subsequent monarchs to Presence Chambers in these rooms returned servants who worked in them and the finer until his death in 1658. In 1660 the create the 22 towers that make up the to their original Georgian interiors after a points of Georgian cuisine. Restoration of King Charles II to the today, and in Victorian major restoration project. throne made the Banqueting House a Just a stroll away lies Queen Charlotte’s times the first Duke of Wellington, royal palace once again. grew up at Kensington cottage, a rustic retreat built in 1770, where of the Tower between 1826-52, Palace, and the ‘Victoria Revealed’ exhibition the royal family enjoyed picnics and peace drained the stagnant and restored The famous painted ceiling by Sir Peter explores her life and reign in the rooms where in a tranquil corner of . Inside, the two Chapels Royal within the Tower Paul Rubens was commissioned by she took her first steps. Told in her own the cottage’s Print Room is hung with over which had fallen into decay. King Charles I in 1629 to celebrate the words, and inspired by extracts from her 150 satirical engravings, mostly after glorification of his father James I. The Today over 3 million visitors a year immerse private diaries and correspondence, this William Hogarth, whilst the Picnic Room canvasses have decorated the ceiling of themselves in one thousand years of British exhibition features displays of personal upstairs is decorated with paintings the Banqueting House since 1636 and are royal history and heritage at the Tower of objects and artworks to form an intimate of trailing nasturtiums and convolvulus, the only Rubens paintings to remain in London, making it the UK’s most visited picture of the life of a remarkable woman. believed to be the work of Princess their original location. historic attraction. Elizabeth, the most artistic daughter Of course, Kensington Palace’s royal 2015 will see the beginnings of important of George III. Throughout 2015 a number of new projects connections reach into the twentieth century. conservation work getting underway to will commence at the Tower, from ‘Fashion Rules’, a dress exhibition featuring the exterior of this significant building. conservation of the historic fabric of the rare and exquisite items worn by HM Queen Contact the press office for opportunities buildings to new exhibitions and displays. Elizabeth II, Princess Margaret and Diana, to learn more about our plans, to talk to Princess of , takes a nostalgic look back one of our experts or to arrange a visit to at the royal fashion of recent decades, view the stunning ceiling. focusing on the impact of these three royal women in their fashion heydays. 2015 will be the last chance to see this exhibition, which will close at the end of the year. 6 7 Meet our experts , Elizabeth McKay, joint Chief Curator Chief Learning and Engagement Officer Dr. Lucy Worsley joined Historic Royal Palaces as Chief As Chief Learning & Curator in 2003, and has a Engagement Officer Elizabeth first-class degree in history delivers Historic Royal Palaces’ from Oxford and doctorate in architectural new strategy to reach out to new and delight history from Sussex. She previously spent six current audiences with new programmes, big years as an Inspector of Ancient Monuments national events and increased digital and Historic Buildings for as interaction. Prior to joining us, Elizabeth was well as stints at The Society for the Protection the Head of BBC Learning Campaigns where of Ancient Buildings and Glasgow . she oversaw the development and delivery of She has written numerous books about cross-platform campaigns, seasons and events. history and presented a number of history Under her leadership BBC Learning engaged documentaries for the BBC for Historic Royal over 5 million people to try a new learning Palaces: most recently, ‘The First Georgians’ experience and facilitated face-to-face contact and ‘Tales from the Royal Bedchamber.’ In with over 1 million each year across the UK. 2015 Lucy will be fronting a new BBC Deborah Shaw, documentary celebrating 500 years of Head of Creative Hampton Court Palace. Programming Maria Jordan, Deborah leads the team Treatment Conservation responsible for creative and Supervisor interpretive content across Maria has worked for Historic our palaces - from exhibitions to public Royal Palaces for over fourteen programming, special events and artists’ n 1 April 2014, Historic Our long term plan will see the estate years, working on the commissions. Prior to joining us in 2013, she Royal Palaces took opened up for the benefit of the whole conservation of the State bed collection, the worked as a director in regional theatre before over responsibility community and will give a richer tapestry collection and the Royal Ceremonial becoming Associate Director at the Royal for the management experience to visitors exploring the castle Dress Collection. Her published research Shakespeare Company, where she was of Hillsborough and its history whilst it continues its role as predominantly concentrates on conservation Director of the RSC Complete Works Festival Castle in Northern the official royal residence for HM The of State Beds and Tapestries, but she has also and the World Shakespeare Festival (for Ireland, adding a Queen in and residence contributed to research in costume. She is an London 2012). She has commissioned and sixth palace to our for the Secretary of State. active member of the ICON: Institute of produced multi-art form projects across the existing portfolio. Conservation and was chair of the Textile UK and in over 20 countries worldwide, with With initial building works due to Group 2009-2012. particular focus on the Middle East. She holds From its humble beginnings in the 1770s to commence in 2015, Historic Royal Palaces’ an MA in History from Cambridge University Tracy Borman, its role in the Peace Process in the 1970s, plans for the castle not only include and an Honorary Doctorate from joint Chief Curator Hillsborough Castle holds a unique place a new Clore Learning Centre but will also Oxford Brookes. in the history of Northern Ireland. see an estimated investment of £12-15m Tracy Borman, joint Chief for new visitor facilities, a new car park Graham Dillamore, Since it was built in the 18th century, Curator (with Lucy Worsley), and opening up areas of the castle that Gardens and Estates the castle has gone from being a simple studied and taught history at have previously been inaccessible to Operations Manager country house for the Hill family to the University of Hull, and was members of the public, ensuring becoming the official royal residence in awarded a PHD in 1997. An acclaimed author, Graham’s expertise at Hillsborough Castle becomes a leading Northern Ireland and the place where many she has written a number of historical Historic Royal Palaces extends visitor attraction in Ireland. of the formal and informal stages of the biographies, from Elizabeth’s Women: the back over 20 years, starting as Peace Process happened. The castle is We are currently creating a suite of Hidden Story of the Virgin Queen, to 2014’s an apprentice gardener in also surrounded by 98 acres of beautiful materials for media use to compliment : The Untold Story of Henry and progressing to Head Gardener for TRH gardens developed from the 1760s editorial, listings and online content. VIII’s Most Faithful Servant. She is also Chief Prince and Princess of Wales at Kensington. onwards, featuring ornamental grounds, Please do contact us for feature ideas Executive of the Heritage Education Trust, a Now working at Hampton Court Palace as woodland and waterways. or to talk to our knowledgeable curator charity that encourages children to visit and Gardens Operations Manager, his as we enter this exciting time in the learn from historic properties. In 2015 Tracy achievements to date include the restoration Our aim over the next five years is castle’s timeline. will be leading on a project to create a magic of the palace’s stunning William & Mary era to further develop and re-present garden for families in the gardens of Hampton Privy garden and two of the major tree avenues Hillsborough Castle to help everyone Court Palace, inspired by the palace’s rich in Home Park. In 2015, Graham and his team explore the important historical role it has history and the sights and smells of the will be overseeing the logistics of the Magic played; and to make the castle and its Tudor court. Garden installation at Hampton Court Palace. gardens widely accessible for future generations to share and enjoy.

8 9 life in the 21st century! Visitors will get the 2 – 4 May 2015 chance to join the court and meet istoric Royal costumed interpreters portraying key Palaces will personalities from Henry VIII’s reign. A be taking the spectacular jousting tournament will also Tudor court be staged for His Majesty’s pleasure. on the road for the first time ands-on activities and in 2015! demonstrations will enable people of H all ages to explore all the varied ver the aspects of life, from and May crafts to martial skills and Tudor healing O Bank practices! A bustling marketplace will Holiday showcase traditional crafts including wood weekend, King carving, stone masonry and blacksmithing, Henry VIII and his courtiers will take up with an armourer and leather worker also residence at Tatton Park, Cheshire, one of displaying their skills. The the country’s most complete historic weekend will offer a unique estates, celebrated for its Tudor Old Hall. opportunity to experience all ost summers in Tudor times, the the splendour of the Tudor monarch and the royal court on tour! M would embark on a Royal Progress, travelling around the realm whilst staying in the and manor houses of . The local population would be expected to receive the King or Queen and host elaborate events in their honour, with great displays of pageantry taking place alongside feasting and music. udors on Tour will recreate some of the most spectacular celebrations T that would have been enjoyed by Henry VIII, bringing the Royal Progress to

10 11 Filming Digital Media at Historic Royal Palaces istoric Royal Palaces has hosted some exciting filming events Social media Blogs over the years, from large scale ach year Historic Royal Palaces o behind the scenes in the world major feature films to historical engages millions of people on social of our Curators, Conservators and documentaries and news crews E media with the history and stories G Gardeners in three specialist blogs covering new discoveries made by our from our palaces. Our six palaces are that tell the untold stories of our palaces’ Curatorial or Conservation teams. represented on both established and past and present. Find out why our emerging platforms including Facebook, conservators spent 100 hours dressing he Tower of London has been spotted Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, G+ and a bed (conservation100.hrp.org.uk), over the past year in Doctor Who Tumblr. Like, follow or subscribe to us what our curators found beneath the (50th anniversary edition), the BBC’s T for the latest news, photos and facts floor boards (blog.hrp.org.uk) and landmark Christmas drama ‘Gangsta from the palaces. how you grow apricots in April Granny’, and the 2014 feature ‘Muppets (gardenersblog.hrp.org.uk). Most Wanted’. The beautiful sunken garden of Hampton Court can also be seen in the /HRPalaces 2014 biopic of Stephen Hawking, ‘The Multimedia content Theory of Everything’. @HRP_Palaces e tell old stories in new ways ast year Historic Royal Palaces through the use of a broad range embarked upon its first partnership historicroyalpalaces W of multimedia content including Ldocumentary series with BBC4, photos, videos and gifs. We produce ‘Majesty and ’, presented by https://plus.google.com/ multimedia content to support exhibitions, historian Dan Cruickshank. The series +historicroyalpalaces/posts events and anniversaries, and can work explored the architectural history of with you to supply or produce content palaces and how these fascinating historicroyalpalaces.tumblr.com which fits your needs. buildings have shaped societies. In 2015 /HistoricRoyalPalaces we’ll be delving into Hampton Court’s many historical stories as the palace celebrates its 500th year. e have a wide range of locations available, from the vaulted Wmedieval chambers of the Tower to the sumptuous Baroque interiors of William and Mary’s Hampton Court, allowing us to tell the story of 1000 years of royal history through details as diverse as graffiti etched into stone walls by defiant Tudor prisoners and elaborate woodcarvings. Outside, from manicured lawns to mazes and , we’ve got the location to suit your needs. hat’s more, with a team expert spokespeople on hand who Wresearch, care for and bring to life the unique stories of these incredible royal residences, we’ll always try to find someone to fulfil your on-camera requests! f you would like to make an enquiry about filming at the palaces, please Icontact the Press Office. Further information about filming opportunities can be found on our website at: http:// www.hrp.org.uk/NewsAndMedia/ filmingandphotography. ust looking for b-roll? We have broadcast quality footage of Hampton JCourt Palace, Kensington Palace and the Tower of London available for purchase. 12 13 How do I…? Online at www.hrp.org.uk/ newsandmedia you’ll find our latest press releases, factsheets on the palaces and more information on filming and photography. But to make it even easier, here are the answers to a few common questions… I’ve been commissioned to write a piece about Hampton Court Palace; Q do I get complimentary tickets? If you’ve been commissioned to Image library write about us, we can organise Looking for the perfect photo Acomplimentary press tickets. to accompany a piece on Complete the application form on our website at www.hrp.org.uk/ Historic Royal Palaces? newsandmedia and email it to us at [email protected] Visit our online image library at www.hrp.newsteam.co.uk for My editor needs a photograph of Kensington Palace to accompany hi-resolution images of our Qthe Fashion Rules exhibition review palaces, gardens and exhibitions, I’ve written. What do I do? all free for editorial use. Easy! We photograph all our big events and stories, as well as Abehind the scenes work at the palaces, so first check our online gallery at www.hrp.newsteam.co.uk. Here you can browse through shots of the all the palaces, then download hi-res versions immediately, free of charge, direct to your computer. If we haven’t got what you’re looking for go to www.hrp.org.uk/ newsandmedia to find out how to set up your own photography at the palaces. I want to find out more about the role of the Duke of Wellington at Qthe Tower of London – who should I ask? How do I go about setting up an interview with an expert? Call us! If we can’t answer your questions ourselves, we will ask our Aexperts, whether this be one of our curators, a tapestry conservator, a gardener or one of our costumed guides. If you need more detailed information we can arrange an interview for you with the person you need. I’ve been commissioned to film a documentary about Charles I Remember you can also Qat Banqueting House. How do call the Press Office on I go about it? +44 (0) 203 166 6166, Go online to www.hrp.org.uk/ email us at newsandmedia where you’ll find [email protected] Aeverything you need to know, from or tweet us background information about filming and @HRP_PressOffice application forms to how you can obtain pre-recorded broadcast quality footage of the palaces from us.

14 www.hrp.org.uk