About the Collection
Learn more about the Royal Collection, one of the world's great art collections.
The Royal Collection is one of the world’s great art collections. It is one of the last remaining European royal collections. With over a million objects, from paintings, drawings and books to sculpture, furniture and jewellery, it is a unique record of the tastes of British kings and queens over the past 500 years, with many items still used today for their original purpose.
The History of the Royal Collection
The Collection was largely formed after the Restoration of the Monarchy in 1660. Following the execution of Charles I in 1649, most of the King’s possessions was sold by order of Oliver Cromwell.
The most important additions to the Royal Collection were made by Frederick, Prince of Wales; George III; George IV; Queen Victoria and Prince Albert; and Queen Mary, consort of King George V.
Who are we?
We’re a charity celebrating the Royal Collection and welcoming visitors to the royal palaces, on behalf of the Sovereign. We care for and conserve the Collection and we aim to bring it to life in innovative ways to explore and understand our shared history. From exhibitions and loans to digital engagement and community events, we create world-class experiences that involve and inspire people, wherever they are.
The Royal Collection is held in trust by The King as Sovereign for his successors and the nation. It is not owned by him as a private individual.
Where can I see the Royal Collection?
You can see the Royal Collection during a visit to the official royal residences of the King. These are Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. You can also visit our exhibitions at The King's Gallery, London and The King's Gallery, Edinburgh.
Former royal residences across the UK such as Hampton Court Palace, the Tower of London, Osborne House and the Royal Pavilion, Brighton also house art from the Royal Collection in their original historic settings. Through our loans and programme of touring exhibitions, the Royal Collection travels to museums and galleries across the UK and abroad.
The Collection Online
Over 300,000 object records in the Collection can be found online. These form a working database that we are continually improving and expanding. Some records have minimal information while others are more detailed. Some are illustrated with professional photography, while others are accompanied by more basic images or no images at all.
We have an ongoing programme of activities to research, display, loan and publish detailed records of objects in the Royal Collection, aiming to make the collection and its history accessible to a wide range of audiences.
Publicly available object records and images are continually under review to improve the information presented. If you notice an error, please contact us.
