Royals Go To Henley
- River & Rowing Museum host royal exhibition -
- Work by HRH The Prince of Wales, HM Queen Victoria and HRH Prince Albert and Lord Snowdon -

The River & Rowing Museum (rrm.co.uk), an independent charity, will be hosting a royal exhibition in collaboration with the Belgravia Gallery, London - providing an exciting opportunity to purchase signed limited edition lithographs of HRH the Prince of Wales watercolours, delightful etchings by HM Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and limited edition botanical photographs by Lord Snowdon.

The Art Royal
The Treasures Gallery
2 October – 28 November 2010

HRH Prince of Wales is now an internationally acknowledged watercolourist in the tradition of English landscape painters. He won the Lorenzo di Medici Gold Medal at the Florence Biennale in 2001.His lithographs cover subjects such as the beautiful Royal homes at Balmoral, Sandringham, Highgrove and Windsor Castle, together with landscapes of the Prince's favourite places in the UK and abroad. He has an excellent eye for composition and a skill in sensitively depicting light against landscape. His  work captures a love of natural beauty and the countryside wherever he is in the world. The Prince’s Charitable Foundation benefits from the sale of his lithographs.

Alongside the lithographs will be etchings by HM Queen Victoria and HRH Prince Albert.  Queen Victoria and Prince Albert shared a love of art, both had been taught to paint and draw as children. Mostly created in the 1840’s, during brief spells of retirement from public life, while awaiting the birth of her children, Queen Victoria chose simple subjects, but as her confidence grew clearly enjoyed depicting her children. The Queen and Prince Albert sometimes worked together on their etching and her first plate is dated August 28th 1840.  On the same day the Queen wrote in her diary “we spent a delightful peaceful morning, - singing, after breakfast, and etching together – our first attempt!”  

Lord Snowdon, was married to Princess Margaret and is one of Britain’s most celebrated and respected photographers. This exhibition show cases a beautiful series of his English wildflower photographs created during the spring and early summer of 1994.

Paul Mainds, Trustee and Chief Executive, River & Rowing Museum said: "The River & RowingMuseum is delighted to host these fascinating art works by members of the royal family which give an unusual personal insight into their lives and influences. It  also provides a unique opportunity to acquire limited edition royal work, the sale of which will directly benefit the Museum’s charitable work.”

END

Press information
Eliz Helvacioglu 0207 221 7883 eliz.helvacioglu@kallaway.com
Catherine Yoxall 01491 415642 catherine.yoxall@rrm.co.uk

Notes to Editors
The River & Rowing Museum (rrm.co.uk)
The River & Rowing Museum, an independent charity, is one of the UK's leading regional and sporting Museums, attracting over 100,000 visitors a year. The Museum also has a purpose built education centre visited by over 20,000 children and adults a year. The Museum provides superb value for money. Tickets are £7.50 for adults and £5.50 for children and provide free access for one year. The Museum celebrates four themes explored through a wide variety of exhibitions and events across four galleries and special exhibitions:

• The past, present and future of the River Thames
• The historic riverside community of Henley on Thames
• The international sport of rowing
• The Wind in the Willows

Since opening in August 1998 the Museum has received numerous awards including the National Heritage/NPI Museum of the Year award, the Sandford Award For Heritage Education and the Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge.

Location, opening and ticket information
The River & Rowing Museum, Mill Meadows, Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 1BF. Tel. 01491 415600.

• The Museum, terrace café and shop are open every day from 10am - 5.30pm in summer and 10am - 5pm in the winter
• Tickets give FREE admission for a whole year!
• Admission is just £7.50 for adults, £5.50 for children aged four and over, FREE for children aged three and under and £5.50 for senior citizens and concessions
• Free parking for visitors

The River & Rowing Museum is part of the Thames Valley Museums Group (TVMG) Family Friendly initiative - a scheme that brings together 29 Museums across Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, to promote their popular appeal to the whole family.

END TO ALL