Historic Royal Palaces, too. When I visited Kensington Palace in the summer of 2023, it was not only mobbed, perhaps to be expected in high season, but also full of an ill-conceived modern fashion exhibition that obscured much of what I'd come to see. It was a relief to go to Hampton Court the next day and find it merely mobbed.
I guess it gets people in that otherwise wouldn't visit the property. In this case, the conception of the exhibition was particularly crass. It was essentially a free association of royal splendour and fashion extravagance.
Yes, it’s the usual status anxiety. We’re not supposed to find royalty interesting. Let’s pretend there is no hierarchy. Fashion is art for the masses etc.
Yes, this is increasingly a trend at NT properties, and other historic houses. It defeats the object of preserving them in the first place. Depressing to see these places taking the first steps along a path that can only lead to Alton Towers.
Oh I’m with you on this, 100%! Not just NT properties too…look at some of the CBSO’s ideas for attracting new audiences 😬🙄
Oh yes, I know all about the CBSO ideas. Hoped she has stopped that now - it was misguided to say the least!
I hope so! We haven’t been for a long time.
Historic Royal Palaces, too. When I visited Kensington Palace in the summer of 2023, it was not only mobbed, perhaps to be expected in high season, but also full of an ill-conceived modern fashion exhibition that obscured much of what I'd come to see. It was a relief to go to Hampton Court the next day and find it merely mobbed.
Depressing. And why the obsession with fashion?
I guess it gets people in that otherwise wouldn't visit the property. In this case, the conception of the exhibition was particularly crass. It was essentially a free association of royal splendour and fashion extravagance.
Yes, it’s the usual status anxiety. We’re not supposed to find royalty interesting. Let’s pretend there is no hierarchy. Fashion is art for the masses etc.
Yes, this is increasingly a trend at NT properties, and other historic houses. It defeats the object of preserving them in the first place. Depressing to see these places taking the first steps along a path that can only lead to Alton Towers.
Fully agree. And I’m sure Charles Moore will too!