The official residences of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II have an exciting programme of exhibitions throughout 2005, exploring different aspects of The Royal Collection. The Queen’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace will display 51 examples of the finest Dutch 17th century paintings.

“Enchanting the Eye: Dutch Paintings of the Golden Age” (Feb. 11- Oct. 30) embraces genre scenes, portraits and still lifes including works by Rembrandt, Cuyp and Vermeer. The Royal Collection contains one of the world's finest groups of Dutch 17th-century paintings. Among the most enduringly popular images in Western Art, these pictures have for centuries been admired for their harmonious compositions, close observation of detail, subtle light effects and meticulous finish. The 51 outstanding examples selected for the exhibition embrace genre scenes, portraits, still-lifes, history paintings, landscapes and marinescapes. They include works by the great masters of the period, among them Rembrandt's jewel-like Christ and St Mary Magdalen at the Tomb and his Self-Portrait of 1642, luminous landscapes by Aelbert Cuyp, and Johannes Vermeer's enigmatic A Lady at the Virginals. Open daily, adults £7.50, tel:020 7766 7301.

”Queen Elizabeth’s White Wardrobe and the 1938 State Visit to France” is a special exhibition for the Summer Opening of the State Rooms, Buckingham Palace (July 30-Sept. 27). Designed by Norman Hartnell, this collection has set the tone for Queen Elizabeth’s style for the rest of her life and was applauded by Parisian couturiers. Open daily, adults £13.50, tel: 020 7766 7300.

The Queen’s Edinburgh residence the Palace of Holyrood House, hosts the first exhibition devoted to the collection formed by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and reflects her interests and support of contemporary artists. “Watercolours and Drawings” (March 19-Sept. 25) includes the series of watercolour views of Windsor by John Piper.

The first exhibition devoted to the collection formed by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother reflects the range of Queen Elizabeth's interests and her enthusiastic patronage and support of contemporary artists from the 1930s onwards. From records of events of both personal and national significance to still-lifes, figure studies and portraits, the selection of 73 drawings and watercolours embraces artists ranging from Thomas Gainsborough to John Bratby. Open daily in the Queen’s Gallery, adults £10.50 including admission to the palace, tel: 0131 556 5100.

About the Royal Collection
The Royal Collection, one of the finest art collections in the world, is held in trust by The Queen as Sovereign for her successors and the nation. It is on public display at the principal royal residences and is shown in a programme of special exhibitions and through loans to institutions around the world.

Shaped by the personal tastes of kings and queens over more than 500 years, the Royal Collection includes paintings, drawings and watercolours, furniture, ceramics, clocks, silver, sculpture, jewellery, books, manuscripts, prints and maps, arms and armour, fans, and textiles. It is held in trust by The Queen as Sovereign for her successors and the Nation, and is not owned by her as a private individual. Curatorial and administrative responsibility for the Collection is held by the Royal Collection Department, part of the Royal Household.

The Collection has largely been formed since the Restoration of the Monarchy in 1660. Some items belonging to earlier monarchs, for example Henry VIII, also survive. The greater part of the magnificent collection inherited and added to by Charles I was dispersed on Cromwell's orders during the Interregnum. The royal patrons now chiefly associated with notable additions to the Collection are Frederick, Prince of Wales; George III; George IV; Queen Victoria and Prince Albert; and Queen Mary, Consort of George V.

For more information, visit www.royal.gov.uk