Prince Charles opens Buckingham Palace for special birthday exhibition

Royals fans across the world can rejoice as Buckingham Palace opens its doors to the public for a special exhibition in recognition of Prince Charles’ 70th birthday.

Sharing a collection of over 100 works of art, the Prince of Wales has recreated his own home for the exhibition titled, Prince and Patron, with never before seen family photos on display.

Forming part of the summer opening of the palace, the exhibition, which opens on Saturday, gives the public a chance to see what life as a royal is really like.

Buckingham Palace will open its doors to the public for the 2018 @RCT Summer Opening from tomorrow until Sunday 30th September #SummeratthePalace.

Visit https://t.co/maRlDBeSBU to find out more! pic.twitter.com/q4rMy7f2yk

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) July 20, 2018

Some of the most iconic photographs sure to grab the attention of royal enthusiasts include a photo of Charles holding grandson Prince George, along with a picture of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s recent wedding.

Family portraits also make an appearance, with oil sketches of the Prince and the Duchess of Cornwall and the first joint portrait of Prince William and Prince Harry.

“I am very fond of the two preparatory oil sketches of my sons which I acquired from the artist, Nicky Phillips, in 2009,” Prince Charles said in an audio commentary, the Daily Mail reports.

“They were painted for a double portrait that now hands in the National Portrait Gallery. Noth are dressed in the regimental uniform of the Household Cavalry – the Blues and Royals – and are particularly good likenesses.”

Charles also described some of the more historic items on display, including Napoleon Bonaparte’s red felt hooded cloak, which is deemed a highlight of the exhibition.

“Since, as a child, I first caught sight of this cloak in the Grand Vestibule at Windsor, I have been fascinated by the sheer magic of the colour, the dashing pattern of the lining and the enthralling story of Napoleon himself which it conjures up,” he explained.

“It is said to have been worn by the Emperor during his Egyptian campaign and was taken from his carriage after the Battle of Waterloo 15 years later.”

At the #PrinceAndPatron exhibition, TRH join classical carver Nasser Mansouri inside the wooden pavilion he carved.

Born in Afghanistan, Nasser was taken on as a woodwork master at @TurquoiseMtn, a charity set up by The Prince to support historic areas and traditional crafts. pic.twitter.com/f9vJncwc1m

— Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) July 20, 2018

Charles will celebrate his birthday on November 14 with the exhibition remaining open until September 30. 

Royal fans will also have the chance to purchase special edition chinaware for the occasion including a teacup and saucer for £55 (AU $97). 

Are you a fan of the Royals? What do you think of the exhibition? Would you go along if you had the chance?