FAQs about the Royal Collection

 

What is the Royal Collection?

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 a unique and valuable record of the personal tastes of kings and queens over the past 500 years.

How many objects are there in the Royal Collection?

There are over a million objects in the Royal Collection. Over 280,000 records about objects in the Collection can now be found online.

Who owns the Royal Collection?

The Royal Collection is held in trust by the Sovereign for his successors and the nation. It is not owned by His Majesty The King as a private individual.

Where can I see the Royal Collection?

The Collection is displayed within 15 royal residences and former residences across the UK, most of which are regularly open to the public. These include Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Hampton Court, the Tower of London, Kensington Palace, Osborne House and the Royal Pavilion, Brighton. Here, works of art can often be seen in the historic settings for which they were originally commissioned or acquired.

The King’s Galleries in London and Edinburgh host changing exhibitions of works of art from the Royal Collection.

Every year, hundreds of objects are lent from the Royal Collection to institutions across the UK and abroad for both short- and long-term display.

How many items go on loan each year?

In 2023/24, 164 short-term loans were made to 39 exhibitions in the UK and abroad. There are currently 11,072 works on long-term loan to 128 institutions both in the UK and abroad. Find out more about our current loans.

How does Royal Collection Trust take care of the Collection?

One of the organisation’s charitable aims is to care for and conserve the Royal Collection. In 2023/24, 4,812 decorative arts items were conserved along with 39 paintings, 425 works on paper, and 339 books, manuscripts and archival documents.

 

FAQs about Royal Collection Trust

 

What is Royal Collection Trust?

Royal Collection Trust is a department of the Royal Household. It is responsible for the care of the Royal Collection and manages the public opening of the official residences of The King.

How is Royal Collection Trust funded?

Royal Collection Trust’s work is undertaken without public funding. 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.

How many visitors does Royal Collection Trust welcome each year?

In 2023/24, there were 2,753,000 visitors to the official residences of The King. This included 1,402,000 visitors to Windsor Castle, 530,000 visitors to Buckingham Palace, 443,000 visitors to the Palace of Holyroodhouse and 182,000 to the Royal Mews.

How does Royal Collection Trust broaden access to the Collection?

Royal Collection Trust promotes access to and enjoyment of the Collection through exhibitions and displays, loans, publications, digital content and more.

Royal Collection Trust’s Access and Inclusion Programme aims to make the Official Residences of The King and the Royal Collection as accessible as possible to visitors with disabilities, and those who wouldn’t normally visit. This includes work with educational charities and community partners who support under-represented and disadvantaged people and those with disabilities.

In 2024, Royal Collection Trust introduced a scheme of £1 tickets which are available for those receiving Universal Credit and other named benefits, more information about which can be read on our website here. 

 

FAQs for Press

 

Can I arrange a press visit to a royal residence?

Press visits can be arranged through the Royal Collection Trust Press Office. For further details and information on how to submit a Press Visit Application form, please click here.

How do I obtain permission to film at the official royal residences or works of art in the Royal Collection?

Royal Collection Trust’s Press Office deal with requests to film at the official royal residences. Filming applications must relate to works of art in the Royal Collection or the public opening of royal residences in order to be considered. For further details and information on how to submit a Filming Application Form, please click here.

How can I obtain pictures of works in the Royal Collection?

Images are available to press, broadcast and digital media for the preview and review of exhibitions, events, and the public opening of the royal residences. Please email [email protected] with details of your image request. Requests to use images for other purposes should be directed to the Royal Collection Trust Picture Library.

How do I obtain pictures of The King and other members of the Royal Family?

Royal Collection Trust's Press Office and Picture Library do not hold recent photographs of current members of the Royal Family or royal events.

How can I find out about Royal Collection Trust’s visitor numbers, retail sales or financial position?

These figures are published each summer in Royal Collection Trust’s Annual Report. Click here to view recent Annual Reports.

How can I find out more about the art and objects in the Royal Collection to research an article?

Over 280,000 records about the objects in the Collection can now be found on our website here; it is possible to refine a search by artist or subject name, object type, historical period, residence, title and theme. 

Other enquiries can be made by selecting the relevant section of Royal Collection Trust you would like to contact on our Contact Us page here.