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Prince Philip

Painting by Prince Philip to feature in new Sandringham exhibition

A previously unseen portrait of Her Majesty The Queen, painted by her husband, Prince Philip, is set to go on show at a new exhibition at Sandringham. The exhibition for visitors to Sandringham House and Museum is set to open on Saturday and will see a plethora of pictures painted by royalty featured.

The painting The Duke of Edinburgh shows The Queen in her younger days, wearing a bright dress and reading a newspaper, presumably at breakfast owing to the bread, and marmalade pictured on the table. It is believed that the picture was painted in the 1950s at Windsor Castle.

Sandringham Museum- Where the portrait of The Queen by Prince Philip will go on show.

Sandringham Museum- Where the portrait of The Queen by Prince Philip will go on show.

Not only will Sandringham Museum be putting these paintings on show, but also a whole host of royal memorabilia. The exhibit provides a small glimpse of just how the Royal Family have been living at their Norfolk home for generations. From Edward VIII’s ‘horseless carriage’ to Elizabeth II’s last state limo, they are some of the magnificent items on display. Less formal than the royal transport on display at the museum include George VI’s roof rack that he used for his flying rods and a picnic trailer designed by The Duke of Edinburgh.

Prince Philip and The Prince of Wales are keen painters, but the exhibition will also feature the works of a former Queen. Queen Alexandra, the wife of King Edward VII, was also a dab hand with a paintbrush and the exhibition will feature a view of Egypt that Alexandra painted while visiting the country in the 1860s. There is also a portrait of Alexandra painted by her Equerry, Major Gen Sir Arthur Ellis.

According to Helen Walch, The Queen’s public access manager, painting was a popular pastime for 19th century noblewomen, “There was no TV, no radio, no CD’s, so you painted, sewed or played piano.” Speaking of a painting by the Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna of Russia, Ms Walch commented, “After she escaped the Russian Revolution and fled to Denmark, she sold paintings to support herself and her family.”

A more poignant display at the museum honours Captain Frank Beck and the men of the Sandringham Company, lost after the disastrous landings at Gallipoli in 1915.

From Saturday 4th March, the Sandringham Museum is open daily from 11am-430pm and admission to the museum comes as part of admission to Sandringham House. Tickets cost £13.50 for adults and £6.50 for children, very reasonable considering the amount of royal history you are about to witness!

Photo Credit: Elliott Brown

Featured Photo Credit: James F Clay