PRESS RELEASE

5 September 2019

Family Festival: Queen Victoria’s Circus

Windsor Castle 14 September 2019

On Saturday, 14 September, a Family Festival at Windsor Castle will transport visitors back to the time of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert as part of celebrations marking the 200th anniversary of their births. Queen Victoria’s Circus will bring the Castle alive with attractions and performances inspired by George Wombwell’s travelling that visited Windsor Castle in 1847. From circus performances and falconry displays to arts and crafts and dress up opportunities, children and adults alike can immerse Wombwell’s Menagerie in the Quadrangle, themselves in the spectacle of a Victorian circus. Windsor Castle, depicted in a newspaper in 1847

Throughout the day, a variety of drop-in activities will guide children through the training required to become an official member of the circus troupe. By gathering enough stamps on their 'Passport to the Big Top', the children will become fully trained circus members eligible to receive a special medal at the end of their visit. They will have the chance to enter a draw to win prizes including a corgi soft toy. Circus parades will take place throughout the day, featuring a family of life-size puppet , spectacular displays of aerial acrobatics, stilt walkers, jugglers and more. In the Quadrangle, children will be able to test their own acrobatic skills and learn the important juggling and hula-hooping techniques required to become a member of the troupe. Historic falconry demonstrations will teach the art of Victorian falconry, including exciting flying displays and an opportunity to get up close to these amazing birds of Meet life-size puppets at prey. Queen Victoria’s Circus, Windsor Castle

For younger children, interactive storytelling sessions will bring to life the story of George Wombwell’s travelling menagerie and the memorable visit to entertain the royal family in the same location over 170 years ago. The ever-popular Bach to Baby concerts for under-fives will give little circus troupe members the chance to dance, roam about and enjoy live period music in the Castle's beautiful Moat Garden, where families are welcome to picnic throughout the day

In the Moat Garden, visitors will meet canine friends from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, which has been under royal patronage since Queen Victoria’s reign. Children and adults alike will be able to put their crafting skills to good use by creating toys for the rescued animals at Battersea to enjoy. Children will also be able to dress up as Victorians, in costumes inspired by the portraits of Queen Victoria and her family that exist in the Royal Collection.

The Salvation Army will be performing live music, wearing uniforms that have remained unchanged in design since the 1870s. In tribute to the intimate Shakespeare performances enjoyed by Queen Victoria, a performance of The Merry Wives of Windsor will take place in the Moat Garden, developed in collaboration with Shakespeare’s Globe.

Press Office, Royal Collection Trust, York House, St James’s Palace, SW1A 1BQ T. +44 (0)20 7839 1377, [email protected], www.rct.uk

Ends

The Windsor Castle Family Festival: Queen Victoria’s Circus is at Windsor Castle on Saturday, 14 September, 10:00 – 16:00. All activities are included in the price of admission to Windsor Castle.

Tickets and visitor information: www.rct.uk, T. +44 (0)303 123 7304.

For further information and imagery, please contact the Royal Collection Trust Press Office, +44 (0)20 7839 1377, [email protected].

Notes to Editors

Royal Collection Trust, a department of the Royal Household, is responsible for the care of the Royal Collection and manages the public opening of the official residences of The Queen. Income generated from admissions and from associated commercial activities contributes directly to The Royal Collection Trust, a registered charity. The aims of The Trust are the care and conservation of the Royal Collection, and the promotion of access and enjoyment through exhibitions, publications, loans and educational programmes. Royal Collection Trust’s work is undertaken without public funding of any kind.

The Royal Collection is among the largest and most important art collections in the world, and one of the last great European royal collections to remain intact. It comprises almost all aspects of the fine and decorative arts, and is spread among some 15 royal residences and former residences across the UK, most of which are regularly open to the public. The Royal Collection is held in trust by the Sovereign for her successors and the nation, and is not owned by The Queen as a private individual.

Admission to Windsor Castle is managed by The Royal Collection Trust, a registered charity in England and Wales (1016972) and in Scotland (SCO39772).

Press Office, Royal Collection Trust, York House, St James’s Palace, London SW1A 1BQ T. +44 (0)20 7839 1377, [email protected], www.rct.uk