The Earl and Countess of Derby are opening the doors to their authentic stately home, Knowsley Hall, in Prescot, from Monday 3rd until Thursday 6th July and on Monday 10th July.
Visitors will delight in a rare opportunity to see Coronation robes and coronets worn at this year’s Coronation for King Charles III, as well as Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation in 1953.
Edward Stanley, the 19th Earl of Derby, had the pleasure of attending the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on 6th May 2023, where he was made Vice Admiral of Lancashire for the Coronation by His Majesty The King and wore the recently conserved robe.
The 19th Earl of Derby’s Uncle, The 18th Earl of Derby and his wife The Countess of Derby, attended the crowning of the late Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey in 1953 and their robes will also be on display.
The exhibition is part of Knowsley Hall’s ‘Hidden Portraits’ Guided Tours Week, which offers a unique opportunity for members of the public to view special memorabilia. Knowsley Hall is one of Merseyside’s most beautiful and historic houses, with access usually reserved exclusively for private events, including weddings and filming, making this series of tours a truly unique occasion.
A must for royalists and art enthusiasts, Hidden Portraits will see guests escorted by the curator of The Derby Collection through a selection of rarely seen pictures from the family’s private compilation, including some of the finest portrait paintings of men, created between the mid-seventeenth and early nineteenth centuries. These include portraits by British and continental oil painters such as Francis Wheatley, Godfrey Kneller, Jan Wyck and Jusepe de Ribera.
Edward Stanley, the 19th Earl of Derby says:
“We are delighted to be welcoming guests into our home to view memorabilia from iconic moments in British history. Knowsley Hall has been our ancestral home for over 600 years and this is a wonderful opportunity to go behind the scenes and learn more about its incredibly rich and fascinating history.”
Tours take place at 10am and 2pm and last approximately 90 minutes. Tickets must be purchased online in advance and cost £23.00 per person, including a guided tour, tea, coffee and biscuits. For further information and to book, please visit the Knowsley Hall website here.
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