QUEEN'S GALLERY, BUCKINGHAM PALACE
 

Any info on the Queens Gallery at Buck Palace? Its included in my London Pass - just wanted to know if they display Royal Stuff lines Swords, Armour, Thrones etc and not just paintings of the Queen!

There's a pretty good (though not quite exhaustive) catalogue on the Queen's Gallery website. The collection is mostly major works of art (few depicting this or any other monarch) but is exceptionally strong on Michelangelo drawings (though so are half the museums in the South-East) and Canalettos

The armaments are smallish, highly elaborate, things like engraved swords. Serious armour is mostly at the Royal Armouries in Leeds.

There aren't any thrones, though you might find the Royal Mews interesting.

"not just paintings of the Queen"

You make me laugh with your notion that the Queen opens a gallery in which only portraits of herself are hanging. It's a space that has regular exhibitions in addition to the more permanent items that are on display. Recently (although maybe it was a couple of years ago now) there was a fantastic faberge exhibition there. I am not sure if your pass covers you for the temporary exhibits too. However, you've nothing to lose so just go there.

I believe the Gallery currently has the Rolf Harris portrait which has unkindly been described as the kind of picture where the teeth follow you round the room...

The link you need is

http://www.royalcollection.org.uk

Patrick: that is hilarious

The Queen's Gallery is not paintings OF the Queen but paintings owned BY the Queen - the richest woman in the world. Mostly old masters as I recall. Perhaps you would be more interested in the Royal Mews (stables).