King Charles has visited Royal Collection Trust’s Decorative Arts conservation workshop in London, where he met with expert conservators to learn about their meticulous work in preserving historical objects.
The visit offered His Majesty an opportunity to witness firsthand the restoration efforts underway for the upcoming exhibition at The King’s Gallery, ‘The Edwardians: Age of Elegance‘. Among the many objects being carefully restored, His Majesty also took part in the gilding process by applying gold leaf to a decorative dragon that will soon be displayed in Buckingham Palace’s East Wing.
King Charles heard about conservation at Royal Collection Trust’s Decorative Arts workshop. (© Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2025 | Royal Collection Trust)
The conservation workshop employs a range of centuries-old techniques alongside cutting-edge technology to restore and maintain furniture, ceramics, sculptures, giltwood and metalwork. These efforts ensure that the priceless artefacts of the Royal Collection remain in pristine condition for future generations to admire.
Many of these objects can be seen by the public in Palaces, museums, and galleries across the UK and beyond, offering a unique insight into the artistic heritage of the British Monarchy.
David Wheeler, Senior Decorative Arts Conservator, shows His Majesty a marble
statuette by the sculptor Francis John Williamson. (© Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2025 | Royal Collection Trust)
David Wheeler, Senior Decorative Arts Conservator, shows His Majesty a marble
statuette by the sculptor Francis John Williamson, and candelabra featuring Highlander figures, which were given to Prince Albert by Queen Victoria for his birthday in 1854 and displayed at Balmoral Castle. (© Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2025 | Royal Collection Trust)
During his visit, The King tried his hand at the ancient craft of gilding under the guidance of Gary Gronnestad, a skilled Gilding Conservator. Gilding, a technique that involves applying an ultra-thin layer of gold leaf to a prepared surface, is a honoured tradition used to enhance and restore decorative objects.
The 19th-century gilded dragon, which His Majesty worked on, is one of a pair that once adorned a decorative pelmet above a window in Buckingham Palace’s East Wing. Over the years, the original gilding of the dragons had deteriorated, meaning that necessitating careful restoration to return the dragons to their former glory was needed.
His Majesty practises gilding with Gary Gronnestad, Gilding Conservator. Gilding is the process of applying a thin layer of gold leaf to a multi-layered carved and prepared surface. (© Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2025 | Royal Collection Trust)
Once conservation efforts are complete, the gilded dragons will be reinstated in the Centre Room Lobby of Buckingham Palace’s East Wing. Visitors touring the palace will be able to admire these restored historical features, which contribute to the rich visual narrative of the royal residence.
King Charles also saw a number of objects that had gone under restoration efforts including a marble statuette by the sculptor Francis John Williamson, and candelabra featuring Highlander figures, which were given to Prince Albert by Queen Victoria for his birthday in 1854 and is displayed at Balmoral Castle.
King Charles viewing a screen that was from the collection of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. (© Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2025 | Royal Collection Trust)
There were also a number of objects on display for King Charles to take a look at that will be seen at ‘The Edwardians: Age of Elegance’ exhibition, such as a silver and enamel bowl given to Queen Alexandra by her Russian relations, an elaborate table mirror, inscribed with ‘To age and youth I tell the truth’, a screen from King Edward VII & Queen Alexandra’s private rooms at Sandringham House, featuring photographs of their glamorous social circle and a Frederic Leighton sculpture of an athlete wrestling with a python.
As Patron of Royal Collection Trust, His Majesty plays a vital role in supporting the charity’s mission of safeguarding and promoting one of the world’s most significant art collections. The Royal Collection comprises over a million objects and serves as a remarkable testament to the tastes and artistic patronage of British Sovereigns over the past five centuries. Many pieces within the collection continue to be used for their original ceremonial and decorative purposes, further embedding them into the fabric of Royal history.
