On Wednesday 28th September 2022, Leeds Castle in Kent welcomed Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra, The Hon Lady Ogilvy, Patron of the Leeds Castle Foundation, to formally open the new cinematic ‘Queens with Means’ attraction.
During the visit, the Princess viewed the seven-minute ‘Queens with Means’ cinematic experience, featuring the Castle’s six medieval Queen owners stepping out of the shadows of history to share their untold stories, narrated by Katherine of Aragon.
Using the latest video-mapping technology lighting, sound and visual effects, ‘Queens with Means’ creates a compelling and empathic connection with the stories of the Queens.
Princess Alexandra was then escorted into the gallery containing a film showing the architectural development of the Castle and setting the scene of the Castle’s nine centuries of history, as well as introducing the story of her last private owner, Lady Baillie.
The Princess met with members of Leeds Castle’s staff and volunteers and enjoyed a guided tour of the Castle, which is now set in the glamorous 1930’s era, where society’s rich, famous and well-connected visited for lavish weekend parties and country pursuits.
Helen Bonser-Wilton, Chief Executive of Leeds Castle, said: “We were honoured to welcome our longstanding Patron, HRH Princess Alexandra to Leeds Castle to celebrate the launch of our new ‘Queens with Means’ attraction.
“We were thrilled that she enjoyed both the new cinematic experience as well as the work to bring the 1930’s House Party to life in the Castle. Many of our staff and volunteers were also delighted to meet the Princess, who thanked them all for their contribution.”
At the end of the visit, the Princess bade farewell to Niall Dickson CBE, Chairman of the Leeds Castle Foundation for 10 years, and welcomed the incoming Chair, Ros Kerslake, CBE who takes up post in December 2022. The Queens with Means experience is open daily for visitors, and is included in the cost of admission ticket.
