The Queens Gallery Private Tour, Buckingham Palace

Hosted by: The constitutional Monarchy Association followed by dinner at the Carlton Club

when: the queen's birthday, Thursday 21st April 2011
 

On Thursday, 21 April, Interclub members arrived through the pillared entrance of the Queen’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace for a private tour of the treasures of the Royal Collection. The date was particularly significant as this was the eighty-fifth birthday of Her Majesty the Queen.

For the next two hours, guests enjoyed a tour of some of the greatest works of art acquired by kings and queens over the past 500 years, including paintings by Rembrandt and Van Dyc, exquisite pieces of Sèvres porcelain, meticulously crafted miniatures and outstanding examples of chinoiserie furniture. After the tour, champagne was served in the gallery’s atrium and guests were able to browse the exhibits.

This was followed by a marvellous three-course dinner at the Carlton Club (ending with Queen of Puddings) in celebration of Her Majesty’s birthday, followed by a speech by Dr Barry Twigg of the Constitutional Monarchy Association, who spoke poignantly on the future of the monarchy and regaled us with most amusing anecdotes from his years working at the Palace. A loyal toast concluded the dinner.

The evening was enjoyed by all and put everyone in a celebratory mood for the Royal Wedding the very next week.

Many thanks to Buckingham Palace and the Carlton Club for their help in arranging this event.