C20th
Royal History
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's Doll Collection
Dolls given to Her Majesty The Queen throughout her
life, will be shown at Frogmore House near Windsor Castle from 16
May 2006. The centrepiece of the display is a charming doll
presented in 1930 and played with by Princess Elizabeth when she was
very young. Made of biscuit porcelain and dressed in silk with a
matching hat and coral necklace, the doll has never before been
displayed in the UK.
The 33 dolls come from all over the world. Among
them are two from Japan, given to Princess Elizabeth and her sister,
H.R.H Princess Margaret Rose, in celebration of their parents' Coronation
in 1937; two small peg dolls dressed in Breton costume, presented to
Her Majesty in 1954 on behalf of the Greater London Fund for the
Blind. Another of the doll collection is a West Indian doll made by the Brownies and Guides of Nevis
Island; an Afro-American doll given to The Queen in 1957 by Mrs
Roosevelt as a present for Princess Anne; and six dolls presented
during The Queen's visit to Jamaica at the start of her Golden
Jubilee in 2002.
For centuries elegantly attired dolls have been part
of the tradition of State gifts between monarchs and were considered
highly prestigious presents. Originally they served a practical and
diplomatic purpose as 'silent envoys', often sent by a prince to an
intended bride to demonstrate the contemporary fashions at his
court.
During the 1938 State Visit to Paris by King George
VI and Queen Elizabeth (the future Queen Mother), the French people
presented the Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret Rose with two
magnificent Jumeau dolls, 'France' and 'Marianne'. These remarkable
dolls and their extensive wardrobe by the leading Parisian
couturiers of the day are on show at Windsor Castle, a short
distance from Frogmore. The display at Frogmore includes a 1938
Jumeau replica of 'France', dressed in the uniform of the Women's
Volunteer Service.
The doll collection will be shown at Frogmore House, which is set in the magnificent private Home
Park of Windsor Castle, has been a favoured royal retreat for over
300 years. Built in the 17th century, it was purchased in 1792 for
George III's consort, Queen Charlotte. Frogmore is no longer an
occupied royal residence but is frequently used by the Royal Family
for entertaining.
Frogmore House, Garden and Mausoleum are open on
16-18 May and 26-28 August, 10:00–17:30 (last admission 16:00). For
the May open days, advance tickets are available for the Garden
only. Tickets for the House and Mausoleum can be purchased on the
day, subject to availability. For admission information, please
telephone 020 7766 7305.
‡
Tours of Frogmore House for pre-booked coach
groups are available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 1 August
- 28 September. Please telephone 020 7766 7305
for details. Read about The Exhibition of the H.M the Queen's
Dresses here.
Looking for a colouring in picture -
Golden Jubilee Colouring In
Coronation Dress Picture
Link to State
Apartments, Kensington Palace web site where royal ceremonial robes are
kept.
Go straight back to Hartnell's Design
of the Queen's Wedding Dress
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For more information about the Royal Clothes click on the titles below:-
For superb Victorian or Edwardian
re-enactment costumes in USA, try the reproduction costume range at:
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