THE BUCKINGHAM Palace is highlighting Queen Elizabeth II’s hectic work schedule in a special exhibition, called The Queen’s Year, during the two month-summer opening of the British monarch’s London residence.
The Buckingham Palace state rooms are open for two months in summer when queen moves to Balmoral in Scotland for a personal break. The opulent state rooms, decorated with in gold, are full of paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Titian, Van Dyck, Poussin and Canaletto. With Britain struggling with financial slowdown and the coalition government indicating that it will review the finances earmarked for the royal family, the exhibition on 84-year-old queen’s busy annual working schedule could not have come at a more appropriate time.
In 2009, the queen had 250 engagements in her official programme, including 145 audiences, 24 presentations of credentials, 12 investitures, 11 regional visits, eight meetings of the privy council, six large-scale receptions, four garden parties at Buckingham Palace, two inward state visits, one outward state visit, and numerous luncheons and dinners for special groups and individuals.
Split into seasons, the exhibition, which is being hosted in the opulent state rooms, emphasises on the variety and depth of the royal calendar. The queen’s involvement in the Royal Maundy Service, the Trooping the Colour ceremony, the state opening of Parliament and her Christmas broadcast have been given prominence along with examples of her ceremonial dress with day and evening wear to reflect the full range of events in the royal diary. “The centrepiece of the exhibition is the queen’s magnificent robe of state, on public display for the first time, and the uniforms of officials and attendants at the state opening of Parliament,” the Royal Collection Trust said.
The ballroom, used to receive dignitaries and to host parties and reception, is home to a display centre for the items linked to the state opening of Parliament.
The Great Sword of State, used to confer knighthoods, and the Mace, both of which date back to 17 century, and the cap of maintenance that precede the queen through the Palace of Westminster during the state opening of Parliament are on display along with 18-feet long robe of state, the queen wears on the day.