I noticed on one of the Castle Howard newsletters recently that there was a special exhibition entitled ‘Crown Jewels and Coronets: Royal History at Castle Howard’ being held at Castle Howard between 27th May and the 12th June, and with HM Queens Platinum Jubilee festivities starting later this week, I thought it would be nice to have a look at the display and put me in the mood for the forthcoming festivities.

Although a regular visitor to Castle Howard we don’t often have a look around the inside of the house, tending to enjoy the walk around the grounds with Meg and Gracie. The last time we had a look inside was last December for the special Christmas exhibition, so this current exhibition was a good reason to have another look around.

It was quite surreal as we climbed the grand staircase this morning, although beautiful, the house looked quite bare since our Christmas visit, but at the same time it was nice to see the rooms in their usual state and gave us the opportunity to look and marvel at the furniture and many paintings in finer detail.

Just before the music room and running alongside the ‘Crown Jewels and Coronets’ display is a new exhibition which runs till the end of October 2022 and looks at the house’s cinematic heritage, which spans over half a century of classic film and television. This came about after the terrible fire in 1940 which prompted George Howard to open the family home to film crews, becoming one of the first private country house owners to understand the potential of seeing the Estate on screen. Raising awareness and bringing in essential funding, the projects helped to accelerate the mammoth task of restoring the badly damaged House. Many of the beautiful costumes on display were used in films such as Brideshead Revisited, Lady L, Victoria, Bridgerton as well as many more. 

After marvelling at the beautiful dresses, we continued our house tour. The ‘Crown Jewels & Coronets’ display was in the Octagon part of the Long Gallery and celebrated the coronations of monarchs past and present as well as looking at Castle Howard’s own connections to the royal family. The display includes a set of replica crown jewels, commissioned by George Howard in 1977 as part of the Queen's Silver Jubilee. Alongside impressive velvet, and ermine-lined coronation robes, a set of chairs and stools used at the coronation itself, and invitations and ephemera giving an insight into the late George Howard’s honorary role as Gold Staff Officer. Although the display was quite small it gave a fascinating insight into the relationship of Castle Howard and our Royalty.

After leaving the Octagon and Long Gallery I always like to pop into the chapel which is part of the mid-18th century west wing of the House, apparently it was originally intended to be a dining room.

In the 1870s it was radically altered with the floor being lowered and the entrance changed. It was redecorated in the pre-Raphaelite style and boasts impressive William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones designs. Several years ago the lighting was improved which greatly enhanced the beautiful artwork and masonry. Today the chapel is still used for occasional services.

On leaving the chapel I continued down the stairs for a browse around the gift shop, then enjoyed a very pleasant brunch in the Fitzroy restaurant before heading back to the car park and the journey home.