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Pastimes & Passions

I must say I have the greatest confidence in our driver – I poke him violently in the back at every corner to go gently & whenever a dog, child or anything else comes in our way! …

Letter from Queen Alexandra to George, Prince of Wales, 28 June 1901

When not engaged on official business, members of the Royal Family have been able to indulge their enthusiasm for many varied leisure interests.

These pastimes and passions are well documented in the innumerable letters, diaries, accounts and souvenir items held by the Royal Archives, which reveal details of the leisure time enjoyed by members of the Royal Family away from the formalities of their public lives.

Additional items

Click on the thumbnails below to view further Royal Archives items for this theme:


The income from your ticket contributes directly to The Royal Collection Trust, a registered charity. The aims of The Royal Collection Trust are the care and conservation of the Royal Collection, and the promotion of access and enjoyment through exhibitions, publications, loans and educational activities.