Stories

I am pleased to update our supporters at Royal Oak about the important work we are undertaking to raise the standards of curatorship at the National Trust. Recent media coverage has misrepresented our approach to historic interiors, taking Helen Ghosh’s comments about more focused interpretations out of context. We do not seek to simplify or in any way dumb down presentations of our houses and collections, but we may on occasion choose to draw out a particular aspect, theme or story.

At 5:30 AM on Friday, May 8th, playwright Peter Morgan sat down to write a new scene between Prime Minister David Cameron and the Queen for his runaway hit play, The Audience. The fresh dialogue would reflect the Conservative party’s overwhelming and unexpected victory. With speed, dexterity, and wit, Peter polished off the scene, raced to the theater, and gave it to Kristin Scott Thomas and Mark Dexter to rehearse for the evening performance in London’s West End. As I read his email recounting the challenge, I wished I could be in the theater to savor the result.

The English world got some big news this weekend, as it welcomed Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana! Royal births are always big news, but their full impact is felt decades down the line. Here are five Royal babies who unexpectedly changed English and world history.

Gareth Williams on the place of dogs in the English country home and their place in stately homes' collections