Queen Mary's Dollhouse: A Miniature Masterpiece of Royal Proportions
Queen Mary's Dolls' House: A Glimpse into British Craftsmanship at Windsor Castle
Queen Mary's Dolls' House, a miniature marvel located at Windsor Castle, is the largest dollhouse in the world. This intricate structure, built between 1921 and 1924, was a national gift to Queen Mary and has been on permanent display at the castle since 1925.
More than 1,500 artists, writers, and woodworkers contributed to the dollhouse, showcasing British craftsmanship in the years after World War I. The project's scale, 1:12, is common for miniatures and dollhouses, allowing visitors to appreciate the minute details that went into its creation.
Queen Camilla, who has taken special interest in the dollhouse, commissioned a new collection of miniature books to be installed in 2024, during the centennial celebration year. The new collection includes works by authors like Phillppa Gregory, Tom Stoppard, and Lucy Caldwell, adding to the existing library that houses specially commissioned works by J.M. Barrie, A.A. Milne, Thomas Hardy, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
The library also features miniatures of picture books like 'The Gruffalo' and 'A Tiny Ghost Story.' Besides the library, the dollhouse contains tiny, fully stocked kitchens, servants' quarters, a wine cellar, a saloon, a garage, and even a garage. Highlights include miniature Crown Jewels inset with real gems, and tiny working appliances like a sewing machine and a vacuum cleaner.
Advance booking is highly recommended due to high demand for Queen Mary's Dolls' House. Entry to the dollhouse is included with a ticket to Windsor Castle. Queen Camilla chose the site for a joint appearance with U.S. First Lady Melania Trump during a State Visit to the UK.
Rachel King, a news writer at Town & Country, has covered the dollhouse extensively. Before joining T&C, she spent nearly a decade as an editor at Fortune. For those interested in exploring this fascinating piece of British history, a visit to Windsor Castle is a must.
