©Richard Foster
This summer, visitors to the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace will see a special exhibition, The King’s Tour Artists, featuring over 70 works of art from His Majesty’s own collection, many on public display for the first time.
An accompanying publication, The Art of Royal Travel: Journeys with The King, will further explore and celebrate this special royal tradition. Featuring recollections from the artists and over 100 illustrations, it tells the behind-the-scenes stories of the tours from an unrivalled perspective.
In the spring of 1985, the then Prince of Wales invited John Ward to join a royal visit to Italy as the official tour artist, with the brief to draw or paint whatever inspired him. For the next 40 years, an artist has been personally selected and paid for by The King to accompany the travelling party on a royal overseas tour with the brief remaining largely unchanged throughout. 42 artists who have undertaken this role, collectively visiting 95 countries over 69 tours, will be represented in the exhibition and publication.
Reflecting the King’s long standing patronage of the arts, the initiative has provided an opportunity for both experienced and emerging artists to undertake a unique commission and a concentrated period of work in the country or countries visited. The works on display in the Palace’s Ballroom, chosen from a selection made by the King from his personal collection, will provide glimpses of life on a royal tour, capturing the tone, colours and atmosphere in ways that differ from a photographic record.
Kate Heard, curator of The King’s Tour Artists said, “This fascinating group of works tells the story of 40 years of official travel and artistic patronage. The freedom given to each artist to capture a personal impression of the countries visited has led to the formation of a rich and varied collection. Encompassing landscapes, figure studies and still life subjects, these works are testament to His Majesty’s deep engagement with and encouragement of artists over the past four decades.”
The King’s Tour Artists exhibition will be included as part of a visit to the Summer opening of Buckingham Palace from 10 July – 28 September 2025.
The Art of Royal Travel: Journeys with The King will be published on 19 June 2025 by Modern Art Press, in association with Royal Collection Trust. Featuring 100 illustrations and personal reflections from the artists, it provides a fascinating insight into the unique experience of life on a royal tour. It will be available at £25.00 from Royal Collection Trust shops and royalcollectionshop.co.uk.
For tickets and more information visit the Royal Collection Trust’s website.
