Andy Warhol’s diamond-dusted screenprint joins a century of royal photography at Holyroodhouse’s stunning new exhibition

An eye-catching pop art portrait of Queen Elizabeth II created by Andy Warhol has become the unexpected star attraction at a major new royal photography exhibition in Edinburgh.

The colourful 1985 screenprint, complete with Warhol’s signature diamond dust embellishment, is drawing crowds to ‘Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography’, which opened this week at The King’s Gallery in the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Previously housed at Buckingham Palace, the exhibition features more than 90 original vintage prints chronicling the evolution of royal photography from the Roaring Twenties through to King Charles III’s coronation last year.

“There’s something quite extraordinary about seeing Warhol’s interpretation of Her Late Majesty alongside more traditional royal portraiture,” said Emma Williams, visiting from Aberdeen. “The juxtaposition really shows how the monarchy has evolved with the times whilst maintaining its traditions.”

Exhibition curator Alessandro Nasini explained the exhibition’s significance: “Although we may be used to seeing photographs on screens, the opportunity to see the original prints up close is rare, as they can’t often be on display for conservation reasons.”

The chronologically arranged exhibition begins with photographs from the 1920s and includes several noteworthy firsts, including what’s believed to be the earliest surviving colour print of any royal family member – a 1935 portrait by Madame Yevonde showing Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, on her wedding day.

Royal photography enthusiasts will appreciate the comprehensive collection of Cecil Beaton’s work, spanning six decades and including his iconic coronation portraits of Queen Elizabeth II. More informal moments are captured too, such as a dramatic 2010 image of the late Queen at Balmoral wearing the Order of the Thistle mantle against the Scottish Highlands backdrop.

For those with an interest in fashion photography, the exhibition doesn’t disappoint. The Queen Mother’s celebrated 1939 photoshoot in Buckingham Palace gardens, wearing Norman Hartnell-designed gowns, sits alongside Princess Margaret’s portraits taken by her husband Lord Snowdon before and after their 1960 marriage.

Scottish connections feature prominently throughout, including a 1966 photograph marking the then Prince Charles’s 18th birthday, showing him dressed in Balmoral tartan in the castle library. More contemporary work by Glasgow-born photographer Rankin provides a modern counterpoint.

The exhibition, housed in the stately blue-walled King’s Gallery, concludes with Hugo Burnand’s official coronation portraits of King Charles III from May 2023, bringing the royal photographic journey full circle.

“With archival material providing context into how these photographs were made and used, I hope visitors will enjoy going behind the scenes into the process of creating royal portraits,” added Nasini.

‘Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography’ runs until 7th September at The King’s Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse. Standard palace admission applies, with Royal Collection Trust members entering free of charge.