An Introduction to the 100th Anniversary Festivities
This year marks an extraordinary anniversary that will see a host of celebrations at Windsor Castle
Throughout 2024, the Royal Collection Trust will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House at Windsor Castle, the world’s largest and most famous dolls’ house.
The Historical Significance of Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House
Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House was built between 1921 and 1924 as a gift from the nation to Queen Mary following the First World War. It is a perfect 1:12 scale replica of an Edwardian residence, with electricity, working lifts, and running water. Its scaled-down rooms range from a fully stocked wine cellar and ‘below-stairs’ spaces to grand entertaining salons and feature contributions from over 1,500 of the finest artists, craftspeople, and manufacturers of the day. The house was displayed at Windsor Castle in 1925 and has delighted visitors ever since.
A Closer Look at the Centenary Display
This year, visitors to the Castle will see a special centenary display of items usually contained within the Dolls’ House, staged in the magnificent Waterloo Chamber. These range from a tiny concert grand piano, fully strung with functioning keys, to miniature Crown Jewels inset with real diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and seed pearls. Items from the kitchens and servants’ quarters include a vacuum cleaner, which was relatively innovation in the 1920s; a sewing machine, complete with thread and minuscule scissors that can cut; and a copper kettle made from a coin, with the King’s head still visible on its base. The display allows visitors to get even closer to these tiny treasures and appreciate the extraordinary attention to detail that the craftspeople involved lavished on every miniature item.
The Exquisite Setting for the Dolls’ House
The room at Windsor Castle that was created to house the Dolls’ House almost 100 years ago has also been re-presented to mark the anniversary. Designed by the house’s architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens, it features murals by the decorative landscape artist Philip Connard, together with the artists Dorothy Cohen and Winifred Hardman. These murals have been expertly restored and re-lit so that visitors can appreciate the fine-detailed scenes of elegantly dressed figures promenading and relaxing on the grounds of a series of royal residences, including Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace, and Hampton Court. The Dolls’ House itself has been re-lit to simulate daylight rather than moonlight, and the room’s ornate corner niches have been restored and filled with miniature plants and flowers, created as part of a seasonal scheme for the Dolls’ House Garden.
Upcoming Events and Activities
Anniversary events and activities throughout the year will include a Dolls’ House-themed family trail for visitors to Windsor Castle and family activities during the Easter holidays. An online evening event in April will see Royal Collection Trust curators revealing behind-the-scenes details and sharing how the house is conserved for future generations to enjoy.
To explore the events and the history of Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, visit rct.uk.
