News and Features

Royal visits to Glyndebourne

We take a look back at photos from our archive of royal visits to Glyndebourne.

Saturday 19 May is a busy day – not only is it the opening of Festival 2018 but Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are getting married.

To celebrate we take a look back at photos from our archive of royal visits to Glyndebourne.

 

Queen Mary – 1946

Queen Mary at Glyndebourne for Britten’s The Rape of Lucretia in 1946, with Audrey and John Christie. Photo: Glyndebourne Archive

Queen Mary visited Glyndebourne to see Benjamin Britten’s new opera The Rape of Lucretia on 18 July 1946. This was her second visit to Glyndebourne, having attended a performance of Macbeth in 1939 before the outbreak of the second world war.

Queen Elizabeth II – 1984

The Queen and Sir George Christie at Glyndebourne. Photo: Guy Gravett/Glyndebourne Archive

Queen Elizabeth II came to Glyndebourne on 31 July 1984 to see a performance of Strauss’ Arabella. This was Glyndebourne’s 50th Anniversary year, and George Christie was knighted for his services to music.

Prince Charles – 1992

Sir George Christie, Stephen Lawless, Lady Mary Christie and HRH Prince Charles in the house after the 1992 Gala Concert. Photo: Guy Gravett/Glyndebourne Archive

On 24 July 1992 Prince Charles attended a Gala concert at Glyndebourne. Involving some of the great singers who had appeared on our stage, it was the last event to take place in the old theatre which was demolished shortly afterwards.

The Queen Mother – 1997

Sir George and Lady Christie with The Queen Mother at Glyndebourne in 1997. Photo: Mike Hoban/Glyndebourne Archive

The Queen Mother made an informal visit on the 7 June 1997 for a performance of Manon Lescaut. A keen supporter of Glyndebourne, she first visited in 1936 and later accompanied her daughters to Glyndebourne performances at the Edinburgh Festival.

Join us for Festival 2019

You might also like

In response to record-breaking demand for Festival 2024 tick…
Read our top tips for a Festival visit.
Go behind the scenes to see how some of the production’s the…
Explore our latest job vacancies
Brighten the stage with world-class opera and artists
Glyndebourne Shop
Our online shop offers a great selection of exclusive and locally sourced products. Every purchase supports our work.
Become a Member
Enjoy priority booking for the Festival. Find out how you can join as an Associate Member
Support us
Glyndebourne is a charity and the Festival receives no public subsidy. We rely on generous supporters who are passionate about opera.