Queen Elizabeth II is not only the longest-reigning British monarch but also the most travelled sovereign in British history, having undertaken more than 250 overseas visits during her reign. An important part of such occasions is the exchanging of gifts, the subject of this special exhibition at this year’s summer opening of the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace. More than 250 objects from some 100 countries and territories will be displayed in an exploration of the queen’s role as head of state and head of the Commonwealth. Official gifts are often examples of local craftsmanship and artistic traditions – as with the colourful beaded Yoruba throne presented to the queen by the people of Nigeria in 1956. Find out more about the ‘Royal Gifts’ exhibition from the Royal Collections’ website.
Preview the exhibition below | See Apollo’s Picks of the Week here
Carved totem pole presented to Her Majesty The Queen by Mayor Frank J. Ney of Nainaimo, British Columbia, during her official visit to Canada, 3-12 May 1971. Royal Collection Trust/© Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2017
A beaded Yoruba throne presented to The Queen by the people of Nigeria in 1956. Royal Collection Trust/© Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2017
Tree of Life presented to Her Majesty The Queen by President Enrique Peña Nieto of Mexico during his State Visit to the United Kingdom, 3–5 March 2015. Royal Collection Trust/© Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2017
Gold octagonal box presented to Her Majesty The Queen by the Sultan and Yang DiPertuan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, during her State Visit to Brunei, 29 February 1972. Royal Collection Trust/© Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2017
Wayang golek (rod puppet) presented to Her Majesty The Queen by the Governor of the Special Region of Yogyakarta and Vice President of Indonesia, Hamengkubuwono IX, during her State Visit to Indonesia, 15-22 March 1974. Royal Collection Trust/© Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2017
A gilded bronze owl, a small-scale replica of the owls designed by John Thorp for the plinths outside Leeds Civic Hall and inspired by the bird in the coat of arms of the City of Leeds. Royal Collection Trust/© Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2017
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