HRH The Prince of Wales’ 70th Birthday: Art, Culture, Heritage
Digital innovation has not only introduced new forms of art but is also a critical means to preserving society’s art and heritage for future generations to explore and enjoy. Now through a new online project on Google Arts & Culture, people all over the world can explore heritage, art, craftsmanship and architecture through the work of The Prince of Wales and the charities he supports.
On the occasion of The Prince of Wales’ 70th birthday on November 14th, Google Arts & Culture has partnered with Clarence House and ten charities connected to The Prince to unveil a new online initiative that documents The Prince’s extraordinary life and support for art and cultural heritage in Britain and around the world. With input and insights from The Royal Collection Trust, The Prince’s Foundation, Turquoise Mountain Trust and The Royal Drawing School among others, The Charities of The Prince of Wales provides unique and exclusive access to many of the curators, custodians and artists associated with The Prince of Wales.
Delving into the site, people all over the world can walk the halls of Clarence House in Street View imagery for the very first time, stroll the gardens of Highgrove (The Prince’s private residence) in 360 degrees, study hundreds of historical artworks belonging to The Royal Collection and discover Dumfries House, The Estate saved for the nation by The Prince of Wales. The tour of Dumfries House includes views of its priceless collection of Chippendale furniture and personal insights from the on-site curators. To allow access to people from around the world, there is also now a Clarence House Google Expedition designed especially for schoolchildren who can use Google’s Virtual Reality storytelling tool to walk through the explore Clarence House in detail.
Collaboration with The Princes’ Charities has also allowed Google Arts & Culture to share unique access to much of The Prince’s own art collection and that of The Royal Collection Trust, handpicked for digitisation for this project. Over 40 artworks now can be seen in gigapixel resolution, including three of The Prince’s own watercolours, a portrait Queen Elizabeth II as a young girl (Philip de László), and eight masterpieces documenting Windsor Castle, by the British artist John Piper. In addition, the Royal Drawing School and School of Traditional Arts also come online to share a more contemporary set of artists’ stories and collections for visitors to explore.
Now, anyone anywhere can also enjoy a rarely seen family photo album including photographs of Prince Charles as a young boy with Queen Elizabeth, relaxed family photographs with his own grandchildren and children, and even one of a very young Princess Anne and Prince Charles meeting David Attenborough in the 1950s.
The Prince of Wales’ passion for heritage preservation is well known. Google Arts & Culture will also feature a new exhibit that offers a deep dive into the history of Afghan heritage through the lens of one of —The Turquoise Mountain Trust founded by The Prince. The exhibit explores the engaging stories of local Afghan culture, via new interactive 3D models of art, crafts and historical items, and virtual tours.
For the first time ever, via immersive Street View imagery, visitors can go inside The Prince’s home in London, Clarence House, bringing visitors into this historic landmark.
A portrait of Queen Elizabeth II as a young girl, when she was Princess Elizabeth of York, Philip de László , captured in ultra high resolution and online for the very first time.
From the personal photo collection - HM The Queen, HRH Prince Charles and HRH Princess Anne play together at Balmoral Castle, 28th September 1952
Behind the scenes with Google’s ultra high resolution Art Camera at Clarence House, capturing personal artworks throughout the home and bringing many of them online for the first time.
3D model of the Great Serai —Restored historic home in Old City of Kabul by local artisans and Turquoise Mountain Trust.
The Family Parlour at Dumfries House —a heritage treasure—online for the first time in Street View and with the priceless collection of Chippendale furniture.
Unique insight from Edward Enninful Editor of Vogue and Caroline Rush, Head of the British Fashion Council on The Prince’s personal style and support for the British fashion industry
Veterans portraits—commissioned by The Prince—from Royal Drawing School and a chat with the School’s Director.
Highgrove Gardens in 360 degrees for the first time with an exclusive conversation with the Head gardener.
First ever Google Street View in Afghanistan—Provides the first virtual tours of restored architecture in the Old City of Kabul
Learn more about The Charities of The Prince of Wales and the men and women around the world who work on projects in heritage, conservation, and the arts by exploring the exhibition on Google Arts & Culture and on our iOS and Android apps. For more information on The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall visit: https://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/.
