• Royal photography exhibition featuring last public photograph of Queen Elizabeth II
• Life Below Stairs experience based on a real-life royal visit

From 12th July to 27th September, Blenheim Palace will be showcasing a major photography exhibition, Life Through a Royal Lens, which explores the British Royal Family’s enduring relationship with the camera; from the reign of Queen Victoria right through to the present day. This exhibition is part of Blenheim Palace’s ever-evolving line-up of events, offering groups fresh and engaging cultural experiences each year.

The display of over 100 of the most iconic royal photographs can be enjoyed by groups in the Long Library, the largest room in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, which will be transformed into a gallery. Alongside iconic photographs will be intimate images which share a glimpse of the Royal Family off duty.

The exhibition features images by pioneering Victorian photographers, modern royal portraitists like Cecil Beaton, Marcus Adams, Annie Leibovitz, and Rankin, as well as photos taken by Royal Family members themselves. Highlights include the last public photograph of Queen Elizabeth II and portraits from the first three years of King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s reign, including Josh Shinner’s recent image of the Prince and Princess of Wales, and their children.

Life Through a Royal Lens has been curated by Historic Royal Palaces – the independent charity that cares for Hampton Court Palace, the Tower of London, Kensington Palace and Hillsborough Castle and Gardens – and is toured by Nomad Exhibitions.

Guests will also have the opportunity to see the Green Drawing Room dressed with a regal dining table, set up in preparation for a visit from the monarchy. The dining table setting design is to mark 130 years since the Prince & Princess of Wales visited Blenheim Palace.

The royal theme will continue to the Life Below Stairs, an immersive experience which offers a unique glimpse into the 1890s, showcasing the hard work and camaraderie of the Blenheim Palace team as they prepared for a royal visit, taking inspiration from the real-life event.

Groups from all over the world can enjoy personally tailored tours through ‘Archie – your interactive guide’ – which is a free to download app available in English, Spanish, French, Italian, Dutch, German, Finnish, Mandarin, Japanese. It allows visitors to choose exactly what they would like to see and hear, and allows them to delve into over 300 years’ worth of stories – many of which have never been told before – with several of the narratives shared directly by staff members, giving authenticity and depth to the cultural heritage experience.

Prices for group visits in 2026 start from £39 for a Palace, Park and Gardens adult ticket and must be booked in advance. Blenheim Palace offers discounts for group bookings of 15+ and free admission for one group leader. There is also free all-day coach parking, a free admission voucher for commercial coach drivers plus a £5 voucher for them to use in the onsite cafés.

The Blenheim Palace Group Partnerships team are on hand to help with all group bookings and pricing agreements. To make visits more enjoyable and efficient, it operates a cashless system in all areas across the site. This includes, but is not limited to, ticket desks, The Palace Shop and catering outlets.

For more information on booking, contact the Groups team directly on 01993 815600 or email groups@blenheimpalace.com. The Partnerships team are available at partnerships@blenheimpalace.com.

For more information and to book tickets, visit https://blenheimpalace.com/.