CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR EVENT

Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography

This exhibition at The Palace of Holyroodhouse, charts the evolution of royal portrait photography from the 1920s to the present day!

Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography

About Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography

28th Feb 2025 to 7th Sep 2025
See event website for details
The Palace of Holyroodhouse
The Palace of Holyroodhouse Canongate, Edinburgh East EH8 8DX
See event website for details
Visit the event website here

For centuries, portraiture has played a vital role in shaping the public’s perception of the Royal Family. This exhibition charts the evolution of royal portrait photography from the 1920s to the present day, bringing together photographic prints, proofs and documents from the Royal Collection and the Royal Archives.

Discover works from the most celebrated royal photographers, from Cecil Beaton and Dorothy Wilding to Annie Leibovitz and Rankin. Explore some of the close relationships between royal sitters and photographers, seen most clearly through the lens of Antony Armstrong-Jones (later Lord Snowdon), who married Princess Margaret in 1960.

The exhibition sheds light on behind-the-scenes processes, from photographers’ handwritten annotations to correspondence with members of the Royal Family and their staff, revealing the stories behind some of the most celebrated photographs ever taken of the Royal Family.

This exhibition is taking place at The King's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse, formerly known as The Queen’s Gallery.

Image: Princess Margaret, 1967 Photograph: Snowdon (RCIN 2335975) ©

Sponsored Links

Wonder & Co
Napier Uni
Kevin Quantum
RSPB
St Mary's Music School
MNB

Other Events at The Palace of Holyroodhouse

Royal Rhyme Time

Selected dates between 6th January 2025 - 2nd June 2025

Join us in the historic Abbey Strand Centre for our special Royal Rhyme Time sessions for toddlers.

READ MORE

Guided Looking: An Artwork Audio Described

Selected dates between 20th February 2025 - 18th December 2025

Join Fiona Johnston, audio describer, as she describes various artwork and objects from the Royal Collection at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

READ MORE

Family Studio Saturdays

Selected dates between 22nd February 2025 - 21st June 2025

Studio Saturdays, at the The Palace of Holyroodhouse, are monthly hands-on artistic workshops for families who are interested in learning new ways to express their creativity.

READ MORE

Palace Page Turners

Selected dates between 7th March 2025 - 5th December 2025

Many authors have been inspired to pick up their pen to write about the Palace of Holyroodhouse. These sessions will explore these literary works followed by a hearty discussion!

READ MORE

Snapshots: Gallery Short Talks

Selected dates between 13th March 2025 - 4th September 2025

Join us on Thursdays at The Palace of Holyroodhouse for a short talk on one of the fascinating photographs in our exhibition Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography!

READ MORE

Guided Touch Tour: Palace of Holyroodhouse

Selected dates between 17th March 2025 - 19th July 2025

Join Audio Describer Fiona Johnston for a special opportunity for visually impaired and blind visitors to engage with selected features, and handle replica object in the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

READ MORE

Royal Portraits in the Press

2nd May 2025

Spanning portraits of Queen Victoria to King Charles III, this lecture taking place at the Abbey Strand Centre, discusses how iconic images are published and remembered.

READ MORE

Fireside Stories: Herbal Histories

9th May 2025

Join artist and storyteller Amanda Edmiston for an evening of botanical storytelling inspired by the Physic Garden at the Palace of Holyroodhouse on 9th May!

READ MORE

Relaxed Morning: Palace of Holyroodhouse

19th July 2025

The Palace of Holyroodhouse offers this relaxed opening on Saturday 19th July. It's a chance to explore the palace in a calm, tranquil atmosphere.

READ MORE

Physic Garden: Flower Arranging

24th July 2025

Join florist and Royal Warrant holder Lottie Longman on 24th July to explore the flowers of the Physic Garden at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, then create your own bouquet to take home.

READ MORE

Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography - BSL Tour

12th August 2025

Enjoy a BSL tour of Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography at The King's Gallery, The Palace of Holyroodhouse on Tuesday 12th August!

READ MORE

Relaxed Evening: Palace of Holyroodhouse

22nd August 2025

This relaxed opening on Friday 22nd August, offers a chance to explore the Palace of Holyroodhouse in a calm, tranquil atmosphere!

READ MORE

Physic Garden: Floral Wreaths

3rd September 2025

Join florist and Royal Warrant holder Lottie Longman to explore the flowers of the Physic Garden at the Palace of Holyroodhouse and create your own fresh wreath!

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

Escape The Past
Franciscan Publishing Company
Fayre Play
Hostelworld
ATG
Edinburgh Dungeon

Similar events you might like...

Snapshots: Gallery Short Talks

Snapshots: Gallery Short Talks

Selected dates between 13th March 2025 - 4th September 2025

Join us on Thursdays at The Palace of Holyroodhouse for a short talk on one of the fascinating photographs in our exhibition Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography!

READ MORE
Nurture Through Nature with Children’s Books

Nurture Through Nature with Children’s Books

1st May 2025 - 7th September 2025

Delve into the Museum of Childhood’s book collection and explore the links between wellbeing and nature introduced to us through books from an early age.

READ MORE
Impression & Expression

Impression & Expression

3rd May 2025 - 4th May 2025

Impression & Expression is a new exhibition at Coburg House on 3rd & 4th May, showcasing five Coburg House artists exploring the boundaries of painting and printmaking.

READ MORE
Kate Bentley at Morningside Gallery: Two Worlds

Kate Bentley at Morningside Gallery: Two Worlds

3rd May 2025 - 18th May 2025

Kate Bentley’s explorative nature and unique imagination has created a truly striking collection of paintings and they are showing at Morningside Gallery from 3rd to 18th May.

READ MORE
Katharine Le Hardy :: Beneath the Trees

Katharine Le Hardy :: Beneath the Trees

3rd May 2025 - 24th May 2025

Katharine Le Hardy returns to &Gallery in May with an exciting new body of work for her solo presentation!

READ MORE
Edinbrick - A LEGO Model Show

Edinbrick - A LEGO Model Show

10th May 2025 - 11th May 2025

Edinbrick is back for 2025! Edinburgh's biggest LEGO Model Show, will be held on the weekend of the 10th and 11th of May at Meadowbank Sports Centre.

READ MORE
Grain and Groove Art Exhibition

Grain and Groove Art Exhibition

10th May 2025 - 14th May 2025

Catch the Grain and Groove Art Exhibition by young Edinburgh based artists, showcasing their handcrafted designs, at Dr Neil's Garden in Duddingston from 10th to 14th May!

READ MORE
Grid : Alan Chapman and Eleanor Symms

Grid : Alan Chapman and Eleanor Symms

10th May 2025 - 18th May 2025

Grid is an exciting new works by painter and printmaker, Alan Chapman, and contemporary jeweller, Eleanor Symms at Coburg House Art Studios on Saturdays & Sundays from 10th to 18th May.

READ MORE
Your Art World

Your Art World

10th May 2025 - 2nd November 2025

Your Art World is a colourful exhibition, showcasing the artwork of creative 3–18-year-olds from across Scotland, at the National Galleries of Scotland: National.

READ MORE

Find other events in Edinburgh

Sponsored Links

Wonder & Co
Napier Uni
Kevin Quantum
RSPB
St Mary's Music School
MNB
Escape The Past
Franciscan Publishing Company
Fayre Play
Hostelworld
ATG
Edinburgh Dungeon

Popular Events

Sip & Paint Starry Night Over Edinburgh
Looking for a creative night in Edinburgh? Then come along to Las Iguanas for a sip and paint experience on Thursday 15th May run by PopUp Painting!
Beltane Sound Bath Meditation
Join Marcela Tršová at The Open Door Community Centre in Morningside for this Beltane Sound Bath Meditation on 2nd May!
Martin McAloon
Martin McAloon returns to The Voodoo Rooms on Thursday 13th November with his Two Wheels Good UK tour, in celebration of the 40 anniversary of Prefab Sprout's album 'Steve McQueen'.
Beltane Fire Festival
Beltane Fire Festival returns on 30th April 2025. Join us for an immersive experience of revelry as we light the fires on Calton Hill!
Edinburgh Indiepop Alldayer
Join the Edinburgh Indiepop Collective on Saturday 4th October at The Mash House for a day of music, memories, and indiepop joy!

Popular Listings

Corn Exchange Haddington Edinburgh Playhouse Festival Theatre Edinburgh Howden Park Centre Livingston Kings Theatre Edinburgh National Museum of Scotland O2 Academy Edinburgh The Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh Traverse Theatre Usher Hall