Conference: The British Monarchy and Modernity

Posted in conferences (to attend) by Editor on February 2, 2012

Currently closed for the final phase of a £12m transformation, Kensington Palace will re-open on 26 March 2012. The conference would seem to offer an ideal way to see it. From the conference website:

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The Making of a Monarchy for the Modern World
Kensington Palace, London, 6-8 June 2012

There will soon be only five kings left – the Kings of Diamonds, Heart, Spades and Clubs, and the King of England.
– King Farouk of Egypt

For this conference our big theme is the British monarchy and its relationship to the modern world. Papers will address a range of inter-related topics covering the period from 1688 to the present day, including:

the difference between British and Continental monarchies
the global reach of the British monarchy
the relationship between royalty and the media
monarchical dress and material culture
the portrayal of monarchs in film and theatre

Delegates will also have the opportunity to attend an exclusive
tour of Kensington Palace, a musical performance and a gala
dinner in the King’s State Apartments.

Keynote speakers for the conference are:
Professor Sir David Cannadine (Princeton University)
Professor Maya Jasanoff (Harvard University)
Professor Emeritus Aileen Ribeiro (Courtauld Institute of Art)

A full programme is available here»

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Note (added 1 July 2012) — Many of the presentations are now available as podcasts from the Historic Royal Palaces and some for viewing at YouTube.