Edwardian Opulence on Display: Exploring “The Age of Elegance”

The Edwardian era, a time of glamour, opulence, and transition, is coming to life in a major exhibition at The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace. Titled The Edwardians: Age of Elegance, this highly anticipated showcase will open in April 2025, offering a glimpse into the lives, tastes, and influence of Britain’s most fashionable royal figures: King Edward VII, Queen Alexandra, King George V, and Queen Mary.

A Glimpse into an Era of Splendor

Marking the first Royal Collection Trust exhibition dedicated to the Edwardian age, the display will feature over 300 items, half of which are being unveiled for the first time. From dazzling jewellery to exquisite paintings, visitors will witness a collection that celebrates the Edwardian commitment to both tradition and modernity.

Curator Kathryn Jones describes the period as a “golden age of style and glamour,” highlighting its dual nature as a time of luxurious living and rapid societal change. The exhibition captures this tension, portraying both the glittering surface of Edwardian high society and the underlying currents that heralded the modern age.

Highlights of the Exhibition

Here are some of the highlights at the exhibition The Edwardians: Age of Elegance:

Royal Glamour in Fashion and Art

The Edwardian royals were trendsetters, with Queen Alexandra famously crowned “the legitimate head of fashion” by Vogue. Visitors can marvel at Alexandra’s Dagmar necklace, a wedding gift from the King of Denmark, and Queen Mary’s Love Trophy Collar necklace, both epitomizing the era’s refined aesthetic.

Accompanying these treasures are portraits by celebrated artists such as John Singer Sargent and Philip de László, alongside paintings that vividly capture the grandeur of royal court events.

Luxury and Symbolism

Objects of personal significance to the royals take centre stage. Highlights include:

• A diamond-encrusted Fabergé cigarette case is given to King Edward VII by a mistress, symbolizing eternal love.
• Alexandra’s handwritten travel notes and snapshots reflect her fascination with capturing moments from her global journeys.

The Marlborough House Set

The exhibition also delves into the social circles of the Edwardian royals, known as the Marlborough House Set. These influential gatherings featured costume balls, garden parties, and concerts that defined the era’s vibrant social scene.

A never-before-seen photograph of Edward dressed as a knight at Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee ball is among the treasures on display.

A Period of Artistic Innovation

The Edwardians were patrons of contemporary art movements such as Aestheticism, Arts and Crafts, and Art Nouveau. Their collection includes works by Pre-Raphaelite icons and luminaries like William Morris and Oscar Wilde.

An inscribed edition of Wilde’s Poems and a study of Sleeping Beauty by Edward Burne-Jones underscore their dedication to the arts.

Preserving a Changing World

Edwardian royals embraced the emerging technology of photography to document their lives and the world around them. Portable Kodak cameras became tools for both personal memory-keeping and artistic expression.

This practice, along with the objects and artwork they collected, serves as a poignant effort to preserve a rapidly evolving society on the brink of World War I.

The Legacy of the Edwardians

As war brought the Edwardian age to an abrupt end, the monarchy transformed into a more restrained institution. Yet, the art, culture, and traditions of this era continue to inspire and captivate.

This exhibition is a celebration not only of the Edwardian royals but of a society on the cusp of transformation. For anyone seeking to explore a world of elegance and innovation, The Edwardians: Age of Elegance is an unmissable journey through history.