Hi-tech illusions bring Queen Victoria's palace to life - GulfToday

Hi-tech illusions bring Queen Victoria's palace to life

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Britain's Queen Elizabeth II looks at a recreation of the 'Victoria' pattern dessert service in the State Dining Room, as part of an exhibition. AFP

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth visited an exhibition dedicated to her great-great-grandmother Victoria on Wednesday, which uses cutting-edge technology to recreate Buckingham Palace as it was during the 19th century.

"We have used the most modern technology that’s available today to have a new form of storytelling. It’s an immersive experience ... it puts you right there in the centre.

Visitors will see projections and illusions showing the vibrant colours of the palace interiors before Victoria's eldest son Edward VII redecorated it predominantly in white and gold.

They will also see aspects of Victoria's motherly side, including a casket containing the baby teeth of her children and white marble casts of some of their limbs.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II looks at musical instruments used by Queen Victoria's private orchestra. AFP

A woman looks at the Supertunica, a ceremonial gown worn by Britain's Queen Victoria. AP

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II looks at portraits of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert by Louis Haghe. Reuters

An employee poses as she views a dessert course menu setting on display in the State Dining Room. Reuters

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II looks at a Victorian illusion technique known as Pepper's Ghost of a waltz danced at the Crimean Ball of 1856. AFP

An employee poses with one of Queen Victoria's children's dresses. Reuters

An employee poses as she views Queen Victoria's throne, on display as part of a special exhibition. Reuters

"We have used the most modern technology that’s available today to have a new form of storytelling," said Dr Amanda Foreman, co-curator of the exhibition.

"It’s an immersive experience ... it puts you right there in the centre,” she added.

Working with a Hollywood production company, the curators have also recreated a waltz staged at the palace at the end of the Crimean war.

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Curator Amanda Foreman poses as she views Queen Victoria's piano. Reuters   

The exhibition, which marks the 200th anniversary of Victoria's birth, also features her throne, ballgown and water colour paintings.

Acceding to the throne at the age of 18, Queen Victoria ruled the UK from 1837 until her death in 1901. She was the longest-serving monarch until 2015 when Elizabeth, 93, surpassed her.

Reuters

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