The Opulence & Glamour of Royal Edwardian Britain

The Edwardian age from the Victorian era to WWI is the focus of The Edwardians: Age of Elegance exhibition at Buckingham Palace from April to November 2025. It explores the lives and tastes of two of Britain’s most fashionable royal couples - their family lives & personal collecting to their glittering social circles, global travels and spectacular royal events. This talk selects highlights from over 300 objects including works by contemporary Edwardians artists including Frederic Leighton, Edward Burne-Jones, Laurits Tuxen, John Singer Sargent, William Morris and artisan Carl Fabergé. Many artworks have never been displayed and will tell a social story.

DELIVERY MODE

• Face-to-Face / Online

COURSE OUTLINE

• Social changes of the Edwardian era
• Lives and tastes of two of Britain’s most fashionable royal couples – King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, and King George V and Queen Mary
• The story told through art, decorative arts objects, and photography

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Identify the Edwardians arts - Aestheticism, Art Nouveau and Arts and Crafts
2. Consider the historical balance of social changes and traditions
3. Name some artists and designers of the Edwardian era