Royal River: Power, Pageantry and the Thames

27 April–9 September 2012

Royal River explores the many and varied uses of the Thames across 500 years of British history. A wealth of fascinating objects take visitors from Anne Boleyn’s coronation procession to Lord Nelson’s funeral, from the gilded magnificence of the Lord Mayor’s pageant to the noxious horror of the ‘Great Stink’, and from the great riverside seats of regal power to the floating palaces of the royal yachts. Among the paintings, manuscripts and beautiful artefacts chosen for the exhibition, highlights include the rarely seen uniforms, silver and barge decorations from the City’s many livery companies, an elaborate silver microscope made for George III and the 16th-century Pearl Sword, which to this day the monarch must touch upon entering the City of London.

The exhibition comprises nearly 400 objects, including 50 objects generously lent by Her Majesty The Queen from the Royal Collection and over 250 items on loan from museums, galleries and private collections across Europe and America, many of which have never been on public display before. It also draws on an array of objects from the National Maritime Museum’s own pre-eminent collections.

Royal River marks the 75th anniversary of the National Maritime Museum, which was opened by King George VI on 27 April 1937. The Museum’s opening was one of the new King’s first official public engagements. His speech from that day, in which he praised the ‘the qualities of Drake, Nelson and Franklin’ will be on display in the exhibition, alongside his Admiral of the Fleet uniform.

Exhibition information for visitors:

Venue: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich
Dates: 27 April 2012–9 September 2012
Opening times: every day, 10.00–17.00 (closed 25–26 December)
Visitor enquiries: 020 8312 6565
Admission: Full £11.00 / Concession £9.00 / Family ticket £24.50

For further information please visit the Museum's website (opens in a new window).