* the “Kings Gallery” & the “Royal Mews” – Buckingham Palace (2025)

Posted on by Posted in Art, Historic Buildings, Military, People, Stately Homes .
Continuing London Shoes current trend of publishing short ‘n sweet articles (ie ‘quickies’) as a brief change from the norm,  the 2 topics being covered-off  here, fit perfectly within the London Shoes ethos of being lesser known aspects of London’s history, even though the site where they are both located, is probably one of London’s most popular tourist attractions (top tourist attractions being something my London Shoes deliberately tries to steer clear of ).
So – this Shoes blog is in 2 parts and is entitled:-

>> “THE KINGS GALLERY” – & its “Edwardian Age of Elegance” exhibition

>> “THE ROYAL MEWS” – “Where Royal Journeys Begin”

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Last week, under gloriously warm sunny October London skies – my London Shoes headed off to Buckingham Palace……but not to visit the Palace ‘per se’ .
For this particular jaunt out, London Shoes was accompanied by Mrs Shoes (Angela), who has a particular interest in Royal history.
So – the reason for visiting Buckingham Palace was because I had managed to get hold of tickets for 2 exhibition type events, currently taking place inside the Palace grounds.
The “Edwardian Age of Elegance” exhibition being held in the “Kings Gallery” – a collection of 300+ items of art/sculpture/jewellry/ceramics/photographs/sketches plus loads of other artifacts – from the Royal collections of Edwardian era monarchs “Edward VII & Queen Alexandra” and “George V & Queen Mary”.
The ‘Kings Gallery’ was built in 1831 when it was part of the Royal Conservatory within Buckingham Palace.
In 1843 Queen Victoria converted the Conservatory into a private chapel.
In 1940, the Chapel took a hit from German bombers.
In 1962 this section within Buckingham Palace was developed into “The Queens Gallery” – which, in 2002 was expanded a redeveloped specifically for the late Queen Elizabeth’s ‘Golden Jubilee’.
In 2024 – the gallery was re-named ‘The King’s Gallery’ following the accession of King Charles III to the throne.
The ‘Edwardian Age of Elegance’ exhibition epitomises the glamour and glitz of the Edwardian era – and at least half of the items on display have never been shown to the public before.
The main bulk of the exhibition items cover the period in time from Edward & Alexandra’s wedding in 1863 – right up to the end of the First World War in 1918.
The grand paintings are really interesting – as the detail of the people captured in these paintings, can tell a story in their own right -especially the ‘family’ paintings with an aged Queen Victoria in them – with her own children – grandchildren – nieces and nephews….including the Kaiser side of her family, who played a big part in changing the course of history – in the not too distant future of those times.
There are lots of Alexandra’s possessions and collections – apparently, it is said that in Royal circles, she was very much the ‘Diana’ of those times – as she had  her own style and way of dealing with things. She was also a keen photographer – and some of her snaps are on display.
The Kings Gallery is full of interesting items – so much to see and take in – really worth the entrance fee, in my opinion

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So – having done the ‘Kings Gallery’ myself and Mrs Shoes – nipped next door to “The Royal Mews”to do the “Where Royal Journeys Begin” experience.
The current Royal Mews was commissioned to be built in the grounds of Buckingham Palace by King George IV – back in 1825 at a cost of £65k……a lot of money in those days. It was designed as a quadrangle with a riding school and 100 stables – coach and harness rooms plus tiny residential apartment type rooms above the stables.
The term ‘Mews’ in this instance, actually relates to the hawks and other birds of prey that were kept by the Royals – the word ‘mew’ referred to moulting – because the hawks were kept in the Royal Mews  – and not used for hunting whilst they were losing their feathers.
Back in 1837 Queen Victoria was the first monarch to actually ‘live’ in Buckingham Palace – and as such the Mews became a hive of activity – much busier than it had ever been before.
Queen Victoria developed part of the Mews structure into a School – where the children of the Mews families living there, could be educated (schooling wasn’t compulsory back then).
All of Queen Victoria & Prince Albert’s children learnt to ride inside the Royal Mews.
Today – the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace is responsible for all the road and travel arrangements for the Royal Family – from horse-drawn carriages to cars.
It is said to be one of the finest working stables still in existence, and its responsible for the training the horses that pull the Royal carriages, and also looking after and maintaining the state carriages, coaches and cars used by the Royal Family during State Occasions – Coronations – the State Opening of Parliament -visits by Overseas Heads of State.
Interesting fact here – every day since 1843, the Messenger Carriage has set out from the Royal Mews to collect and deliver post between Buckingham Palace and St James’s Palace.
The latest coach to join the collection in the Royal Mews is “The Diamond Jubilee State Coach” which was built to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee.
The “Where Royal Journeys Begin” tour takes you behind the scenes of the Royal Mews to view the stables/riding school and all the Royal state coaches, carriages and cars, including the historic ‘Gold State Coach’ – and the tour gives you a close look into the lives of the Royal Mews staff and how these working stables operate.
Great value for money, in my opinion – accessing areas of Buckingham Palace not usually covered-off in general tours of the Palace – very interesting and well worth a visit.
Hope you enjoyed these 2 little articles and their accompanying photos.
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See below is the entire gallery of photos taken to accompany this blog article 

Buckingham Palace – under a sunny blue warm October London skies

 

Capturing part of the ‘Changing of the Guard’ ceremony – Buckingham Palace

 

My London Shoes & Mrs Shoes (ie Angela) – on route to our day out at ‘The Kings Gallery’ and ‘The Royal Mews’ – inside Buckingham Palace

 

Taken through the railings…..a closer look at Buckingham Palace

 

The “Edwardian Age of Elegance” exhibition being held in “The Kings Gallery” – a collection of 300+ items of art/sculpture/jewellry/ceramics/photographs/sketches plus loads of other artifacts – from the Royal collections of Edwardian era monarchs “Edward VII & Queen Alexandra” and “George V & Queen Mary”.

 

The entrance to the “Edwardian Age of Elegance” exhibition on display in ‘The Kings Gallery’

 

The sculptured bust of King Edward VII that greets you as you enter the ‘Edwardian Age of Elegance’ exhibition at the Kings Gallery – Buckingham Palace

 

Inside the “Edwardian Age of Elegance” exhibition on display in ‘The Kings Gallery’ – Buckingham Palace

 

A painting of Queen Victoria surrounded by all her family and extended family – on display at the ‘Edwardian Age of Elegance’ exhibition at the Kings Gallery inside Buckingham Palace

 

Portraits of “Edward VII & Queen Alexandra” from 1863 the first year of their marriage

 

A rare photo from the Edwardian period – that captures 4 generations of Monarchs:- Edward VII / George V / Edward VIII (the one who abdicated) & George VI (the late Queen’s dad)🫅🫅🫅🫅

 

Inside the “Edwardian Age of Elegance” exhibition in ‘The Kings Gallery’ – Buckingham Palace

 

Inside the “Edwardian Age of Elegance” exhibition in ‘The Kings Gallery’ – Buckingham Palace

 

Inside the “Edwardian Age of Elegance” exhibition in ‘The Kings Gallery’ – Buckingham Palace

 

The “Edwardian Age of Elegance” exhibition – ‘The Kings Gallery’ – Buckingham Palace

 

The “Edwardian Age of Elegance” exhibition – ‘The Kings Gallery’ – Buckingham Palace

 

The “Edwardian Age of Elegance” exhibition – ‘The Kings Gallery’ – Buckingham Palace

 

The “Edwardian Age of Elegance” exhibition – ‘The Kings Gallery’ – Buckingham Palace

 

 

The Buckingham Palace ‘Garden Parties’ started in the Edwardian era – and there’s a great painting of an event from those times – its like a who’s who, spot the celeb.

 

A close-up of Queen Victoria in a Royal coach within the Garden Party painting

 

The “Edwardian Age of Elegance” exhibition – ‘The Kings Gallery’ – Buckingham Palace

 

The “Edwardian Age of Elegance” exhibition – ‘The Kings Gallery’ – Buckingham Palace

 

Mrs Shoes (Ange) – with her audio head-set – taking in all the exhibits on display

 

A very life-like sketch of the young Edward VIII – on display at the ‘Edwardian Age of Elegance’ exhibition – Buckingham Palace

 

The “Edwardian Age of Elegance” exhibition – ‘The Kings Gallery’ – Buckingham Palace

 

The “Edwardian Age of Elegance” exhibition – ‘The Kings Gallery’ – Buckingham Palace

 

Inside the “Edwardian Age of Elegance” exhibition in ‘The Kings Gallery’ – Buckingham Palace

 

The “Edwardian Age of Elegance” exhibition – ‘The Kings Gallery’ – Buckingham Palace

 

The “Edwardian Age of Elegance” exhibition – ‘The Kings Gallery’ – Buckingham Palace

 

A wonderful portrait of the late Duke of Edinburgh’s mum – Princess Alice of Battenberg- who later became Princess Andrew of Greece

 

The “Edwardian Age of Elegance” exhibition – ‘The Kings Gallery’ – Buckingham Palace

 

Mrs Shoes (Ange) – with her audio head-set – taking in all the exhibits on display – and then annoyingly pointing out everything to me!!!

 

The “Edwardian Age of Elegance” exhibition – ‘The Kings Gallery’ – Buckingham Palace

 

A particular fav of mine from the exhibition – this is a very early painting of Manhattan – New York

 

From the same painting – a close up of the Manhattan skyline as it was way back in the day

 

From the very same painting – a close up of the Statue of Liberty as it looked way back in the day

 

Me & my London Shoes – inside the ‘Edwardian Age of Elegance’ exhibition – The Kings Gallery – Buckingham Palace

 

The “Edwardian Age of Elegance” exhibition – ‘The Kings Gallery’ – Buckingham Palace

 

The “Edwardian Age of Elegance” exhibition – ‘The Kings Gallery’ – Buckingham Palace

 

The “Edwardian Age of Elegance” exhibition – ‘The Kings Gallery’ – Buckingham Palace

 

The “Edwardian Age of Elegance” exhibition – ‘The Kings Gallery’ – Buckingham Palace

 

The “Edwardian Age of Elegance” exhibition – ‘The Kings Gallery’ – Buckingham Palace

 

Queen Alexandra’s crown – The Edwardian Age of Elegance’ exhibition – The Kings Gallery – Buckingham Palace

 

Me & my London Shoes – inside The Kings Gallery-Buckingham Palace – having just spent and enjoyable couple of hours ambling around the ‘Edwardian Age of Elegance’ exhibition

 

Mrs Shoes – in the Kings Gallery-Buckingham Palace – having enjoyed the ‘Edwardian Age of Elegance’ exhibition currently on display there. (2025)

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Having done the ‘Kings Gallery’ myself and Mrs Shoes – nipped next door to “The Royal Mews”to do the “Where Royal Journeys Begin” experience.

 

The entrance to the ‘Royal Mews’ – Buckingham Palace Road – and the location of the “Where the Royal Journeys Begin” tour

 

Inside The Royal Mews – The current Royal Mews was commissioned to be built in the grounds of Buckingham Palace by King George IV – back in 1825 at a cost of £65k……a lot of money in those days. It was designed as a quadrangle with a riding school and 100 stables – coach and harness rooms plus tiny residential apartment type rooms above the stables.

 

Inside The Royal Mews

 

An old illustration of what the Royal Mews looked like a couple of centuries ago

 

Inside the Royal Mews as it looks today (2025)

 

An old illustration of what the Royal Mews looked like a couple of centuries ago

 

Inside the Royal Mews as it looks today (2025)

 

Inside The Royal Mews – any vehicles entering or leaving the Mews have to consider horses and people wandering about inside

 

 

The latest coach to join the collection in the Royal Mews is “The Diamond Jubilee State Coach” which was built to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee.

 

 

Me & my London Shoes – on the “Where the Royal Journeys Begin” tour – inside the Royal Mews – Buckingham Palace

 

The “Where Royal Journeys Begin” tour takes you behind the scenes of the Royal Mews to view the stables/riding school and all the Royal state coaches, carriages and cars, including the historic ‘Gold State Coach’ – and the tour gives you a close look into the lives of the Royal Mews staff and how these working stables operate.

 

Inside The Royal Mews

 

 

Inside The Royal Mews

 

 

Me & Mrs Shoes (Ange) – on the “Where Royal Journeys Begin” tour – inside the Royal Mews – Buckingham Palace

 

 

Inside The Royal Mews

 

 

Not just horse drawn Royal carriages are housed at the Royal Mews

 

Inside The Royal Mews

 

Inside The Royal Mews

 

The Royal Mews is one of the finest working stables still in existence, and its responsible for the training the horses that pull the Royal carriages.

 

The Royal Mews is also responsible for looking after and maintaining the state carriages, coaches and cars used by the Royal Family during State Occasions – Coronations – the State Opening of Parliament -visits by Overseas Heads of State.

 

Inside The Royal Mews

 

Mrs Shoes’s finger pointing out the location of the ‘Royal Mews’ in relation to Buckingham Palace

 

Me & Mrs Shoes (Ange) – on the “Where Royal Journeys Begin” tour – inside the Royal Mews – Buckingham Palace

 

Just had to buy this cuddly toy from the Mews Gift Shop – for our youngest grandchild 1yr old “King Leo – the Lion”👶👑🦁

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