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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.
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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.