Buckingham Palace Gallery has received a makeover ahead of its summer opening, with the Royal Collection having doubled the number of pieces on display.
The royal residence was due to host Prince Harry this week amid confusion over his UK visit, but it is now expected to remain empty after he failed to meet the deadline to secure the accommodation.
However, members of the public will be given the chance to visit the palace themselves between 9 July and 27 September.
The new presentation, which has been described as a “once-in-a-generation re-display”, took a whopping 875 hours to hang, with the collection receiving an additional 63 artworks, nearly double the previous total.
The state room’s once-pink velvet wall coverings, dating back to 1976, have been replaced with a striking emerald-green silk damask.
Visitors will have the chance to enjoy paintings by Rubens, Caravaggio and Zoffany, among many more.
Zoffany’s The Tribuna of the Uffizi, which hasn’t hung in the picture gallery since 1841, is now on display. It was originally commissioned by Queen Charlotte, but was never displayed in her apartments because she disliked its crowded and unconventional composition.
© Samir Hussein/WireImageWhat’s new?
A painting believed to be of George IV’s pet dog, A Rough Dog by George Stubbs, is also on display along with five Rembrandt paintings and Rubens’s Self Portrait.
Handwritten letters sent to the King by children from all over the world will be on show in the Family Pavilion.
The gallery walls have seen a range of colours over the years, including lilac, crimson red, and most recently, emerald green.
Historically, it has been used as a room to host guests, including Donald Trump and other royals.
© Ben FitzpatrickGallery history
Designed by John Nash as one of Buckingham Palace’s three identical conservatories, the gallery has stood since its completion in 1831. A short time later, in 1843, it was converted into a private chapel for Queen Victoria, but was later destroyed in a 1940 air raid.
It wasn’t until 1962 that it was redeveloped into a gallery for the Royal Collection, at the suggestion of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
It comes just two weeks after King Charles and Queen Camilla revealed their decision never to live at Buckingham Palace, instead choosing to remain at their residence, Clarence House.
“His Majesty retains huge affection for Buckingham Palace and a deep respect for its role in royal and public life,” said a palace spokesperson. “It will be a buzzing hive of royal activity in every other way.”
© supplied by Royal Collection,Enterprioses LtdPrince Harry, who landed in the UK yesterday, was thought to be staying at Buckingham Palace during his visit but is said to have accepted the offer from King Charles to stay there too late.
Harry formally rejected the offer from his estranged father on Saturday but changed his mind later in the day, narrowly missing the deadline, HELLO! understands.
His five-day visit officially started today, though it is not clear where the Duke of Sussex is staying. His agenda will include a countdown to the 2027 Invictus Games.
Earlier today, it was revealed that Prince Harry has lost his High Court privacy battle against Associated Newspapers.
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