Some of the display’s visuals are too sensitive to be left up all the time.
With great pleasure, Buckingham Palace announces the release of an astounding array of never-before-seen images from the royal archives.
The unique exhibition “Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography” at The King’s Gallery inside Buckingham Palace is scheduled to debut on May 17 and will highlight the development of royal portrait photography from the 1920s to the present. More than 150 one-of-a-kind pieces from the Royal Collection and Royal Archives will be on show, with many of these old prints appearing for the first time. A unique look into the creative processes behind these historical photos is provided by the show, which also features unseen proofs and archival correspondence.
A poignant 1964 portrait of Queen Elizabeth, Princess Margaret, Princess Alexandra, and the then-Duchess of Kent holding their babies is one of the most notable items. This heartwarming photo was taken by Princess Margaret’s husband, Antony Armstrong-Jones, as a special thank-you to royal obstetrician Sir John Peel, who assisted in the delivery of all four babies in less than two months. Princess Margaret is holding her daughter Lady Sarah tenderly while Queen Elizabeth is grinning at the camera and holding Prince Edward, the youngest of her four children.
Snowdon, the Royal Collection Trust, and Camera Press
Images of Queen Elizabeth’s parents, King George VI and the Queen Mother, taken during World War II make up another moving section of the display. Cecil Beaton captured these pictures with the intention of bringing stability and hope during tumultuous times. Notable images of the royal couple taken in 1940 at Buckingham Palace include a dramatic view of them assessing bomb damage and a sweet family photo taken in 1943 at Royal Lodge in Windsor, which shows Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret as little children gathered around their father’s desk.
Snowdon, the Royal Collection Trust, and Camera Press
The thrill and exclusivity of this event is further enhanced by the fact that the Royal Collection Trust emphasizes that these vintage photos cannot be permanently shown due to conservation needs. The display covers an amazing range of historical periods, including the first color image of a member of the royal family, Queen Elizabeth’s 1953 coronation portrait, the Queen’s sparkling painting by Andy Warhol from 1985, and even Kate Middleton’s arresting 40th birthday shot.
It’s interesting to note that Kate’s milestone birthday portrait will be on display next to a portrait of Princess Alexandra from 1864, which it looks a lot like.
Charles III, His Majesty, Royal Collection Trust, 2024
The audio guide for this fascinating exhibit, which is narrated by the adored Dame Joanna Lumley, includes commentary from well-known photographers Rankin and John Swannell. Hugo Burnand has also contributed to the guide; he has a long-standing professional relationship with King Charles and Queen Camilla, having taken their formal coronation photographs in May 2023.
Paolo Reversi/Royal Collection Trust Photographer
Exhibiting photographs by renowned photographers including David Bailey, Annie Leibovitz, Polly Borland, and Dorothy Wilding, this show is sure to thrill royal photography enthusiasts.
Remember to put dates in your calendars! The King’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace will unveil “Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography” on May 17. This is a unique chance to experience history unfold before your eyes as a unique collection of royal moments are captured via the skill of photography.
Charles III, His Majesty, Royal Collection Trust, 2024
Rescue takes in severely matted dog who looks like a wig — today she’s unrecognizable
It’s truly remarkable the difference a haircut can make, especially for a dog. Many stray and neglected dogs go ungroomed, causing them distress as their fur becomes tangled and matted.
Recently, one stray dog was found with so much fur she “looked like a wig” — until a rescue gave her a life-changing makeover.
Mac’s Mission, a special needs dog rescue nonprofit based in Missouri, recently rescued a severely matted dog found in the middle of the road. The dog, now named Pear, was in terrible shape, completely covered in thick, matted fur.
The rescue wrote that Pear “didn’t even look like a dog” but rather “looked like a wig” — “just a wad of hair.”
The rescue took her in and a team of volunteers got to work helping Pear, giving her a “spa session” to remove all her dirty fur.
“We got her cleaned up, shaved down, and a bath to get rid of any grime and fleas,” rescue founder Rochelle Steffentold Newsweek. “She got settled into one of our spaces and fell asleep pretty quickly.”
Throughout the process, Pear was a patient good girl: “She was the sweetest and just sat there while we got all the terrible thick matts of her which took quite a while.”
She added that Pear thankfully did not have maggots in her fur, and said the dog was lucky she didn’t get hit by a car. However, Pear is missing an eyeball, apparently from an older injury.
Mac’s Mission shared photos of Pear before and after her treatment, showing a remarkable transformation:
“Pear has a new life ahead of her thanks to you all,” the rescue wrote on Facebook, thanking their supporters.
Pear looks beautiful — it’s hard to believe that it’s the same dog! Thank you to Mac’s Mission for giving this sweet dog a much-needed makeover!
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