Fun Things to Do

The Royal School of Needlework’s Royal Connections go back to its earliest days in 1872 – and come right up to date with the work for Sarah Burton on The Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding dress. This exhibition reflects the RSN’s Royal Connections through photographs, correspondence, work donated to the Royal School of Needlework (RSN), pieces by Royal stitchers, designs and commissions for Royal occasions as well as royal pieces in the RSN Collection which celebrate special royal occasions

H.M. The Queen's Coronation Train

Of particular note from work by the RSN is the sampler for Her Majesty The Queen’s Coronation train in 1953, showing the 18 varieties of gold thread used in the work. From the 1937 Coronation there will be samples of the fabrics used to create some of the ceremonial furnishings, along with a recently donated document listing items produced by the RSN for the event. Also on show from Coronations will be one of the RSN stitchers’ own souvenir fragments from the 1902 Coronation of King Edward and Queen Alexandra recently donated back to the RSN.

A gift from a Maharaja

Also from the period of King Edward VII, the RSN will be showing an embellished address and its equally embellished envelope which was presented to Edward VII by the Maharaja of Balrampur on his coronation in 1902, showing wonderful Indian goldwork.

A telegram from a Princess

Correspondence ranges from the official to the personal – Princess Helena’s telegram to the RSN thanking them for the funeral pall for Queen Victoria in 1901, and photographs document the extensive engagement of members of the Royal Family with the RSN over 14 decades.

Samplers for Royal Events

From the RSN’s own work there will be a series of samplers for Royal events which were sold as souvenirs to keen stitchers across the world. In the RSN Collection is the painted original for the sampler for Edward VIII, post abdication, along with its painted canvas part-worked by two generations of an American family and recently returned to the RSN.

For more information about the tours

The exhibition is open to the public on set tour days in 2012:

16 & 26 May and 6 & 7 July and pre-booking is required. Group tours and individual bookings welcome.

Contact Belinda Egginton on +44(0)20 3166 6941 to book your place.
Or visit www.royal-needlework.org.uk/visitingus