The Princess of Wales has paused her summer holidays to release a fresh statement about how “historic objects” can shape “fashion, design, film, art” as a new exhibition she put together opens in East London.
Princess Kate described how “unique” pieces can assist people in understanding the “role we play in the wider tapestry of life” as the collection she selected went on show at the new V&A East Storehouse.
The future Queen assembled her own “mini display” at V&A East Storehouse, after her trip to the V&A’s brand new working store and visitor attraction in East London last month. She showcased a diverse range of pieces from the V&A, featuring a watercolour painting of a forest glade by children’s author Beatrix Potter, a medieval Somerset church tile and an almost 200-years-old handmade Welsh quilt, reports the Express.
In a statement penned by Kate, shown alongside her Makers and Creators exhibition, she writes: “Objects can tell a story. A collection of objects can create a narrative, both about our past and as inspiration for the future. This display celebrates our past makers and creators and illustrates how much historic objects can influence fashion, design, film, art and creativity today.”
Kate added: “Individual, unique objects can come together to create a collective whole that helps us to explore our social and cultural experiences and the role we play in the wider tapestry of life.”
Kate’s mini collection includes the costume created by Oliver Messel for the Fairy of the Woodland Glades worn by Diana Vere in The Royal Ballet’s 1960 production of The Sleeping Beauty, as well as a watercolour study of a forest glade by well-known children’s author Beatrix Potter and a childhood photograph album belonging to her father, Rupert Potter.
It also includes:
- A 15th-century earthenware tile, impressed with a design of interlacing bands from South Cadbury Church in Somerset
- A Morris & Co furnishing screen designed by William Morris’s assistant J.H.Dearle in the mid-1880s
- A hand-quilted bedcover, made in Wales circa. 1830-40
- An oil painting entitled ‘A Woman Holding a Mirror and a Rose’ by Anglo-American artist George Henry Boughton
- A Qing dynasty porcelain vase from Jingdezhen, China, circa. 1662-1722
- A sculpture by Clemence Dane, which is a physical representation of the artist’s hands, created in the mid-20th century
Kate’s Makers and Creators exhibition is among over 100 rotating mini displays set up at the ends of storage racking in the storehouse. This forms part of its comprehensive free self-guided experience available until early 2026.
The site houses more than 500,000 creative works – ranging from individual items to entire collections like the Glastonbury festival archive – making up the majority of the V&A’s collection.
V&A East Storehouse operates from 10:00-18:00, seven days a week, with extended hours every Thursday and Saturday until 22:00. These late-night openings include access to the V&A’s new Order an Object service, curated self-guided experiences and displays, special events, and the café, e5 Storehouse.
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