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Pomp and Circumstance
Parades, processions and royal visits were a great draw for early filmmakers - not only did they guarantee spectacle but their fixed place in the calendar allowed for planning ahead. Even minor royals commanded endless fascination, while the Queen herself was the greatest celebrity of all.
Even fleeting images of Victoria were hot property and her Diamond Jubilee in 1897 was the grandest event of the era, attracting the biggest assembly of the global film industry to date. Footage from the day played across the Empire and well beyond.
Gladstone's Funeral Gladstone's Funeral
Non-Fiction 1898 1 mins Silent
The Victorian great and good mark the passing of a political titan
Funeral of Queen Victoria (1901) Funeral of Queen Victoria (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 5 mins Silent Location: Hyde Park
The crowds stand silent as the nation says goodbye to Queen Victoria in February 1901.
Royal Proclamation of Death of Queen Victoria, Blackburn (1901) Royal Proclamation of Death of Queen Victoria, Blackburn (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 2 mins Silent Location: Blackburn
Crowds gather outside the Town Hall to hear the town crier's royal announcement.
The Queen at Sheffield The Queen at Sheffield
Documentary 1897 1 mins Silent Location: Sheffield
Sheffield gives the capital a run for its money with an impressive parade celebrating the monarch, a month before the Diamond Jubilee.
Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee - Apsley House Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee - Apsley House
1897 1 mins Silent
Unusually detailed shots of the Jubilee procession
Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee - Paul - York Road - Front of Procession Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee - Paul - York Road - Front of Procession
1897 1 mins Silent
Carriages full of well-heeled guests continue in Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee procession, filmed for RW Paul.
Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee - Paul - York Road - Leaders and Life Guards Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee - Paul - York Road - Leaders and Life Guards
Non-Fiction 1897 1 mins Silent
The head of the colonial procession and the Horse Guards approach Westminster Bridge during Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.
Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee - Paul - York Road - Bands Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee - Paul - York Road - Bands
Non-Fiction 1897 1 mins Silent Location: London
The Band of the First Life Guards approaches Westminster Bridge during Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.
Funeral of Queen Victoria: Funeral Procession at Cowes Funeral of Queen Victoria: Funeral Procession at Cowes
Non-Fiction 1901 3 mins Silent Location: Cowes
Images from the first leg of the solemn procession
Funeral of Queen Victoria: Procession Starting from Victoria Station Funeral of Queen Victoria: Procession Starting from Victoria Station
Non-Fiction 1901 1 mins Silent Location: Victoria Sta
As the coffin arrives in the capital, the spectacle of the State Funeral starts to gear up
Funeral of Queen Victoria: The Marble Arch Funeral of Queen Victoria: The Marble Arch
Non-Fiction 1901 1 mins Silent Location: Green Park
Victoria's funeral procession passes through central London, drawing well-dressed crowds
Funeral of Queen Victoria: The Procession passing into Windsor Park Funeral of Queen Victoria: The Procession passing into Windsor Park
Non-Fiction 1901 3 mins Silent Location: Windsor Great Park
The birth of a new royal tradition
Queen Victoria's Funeral Procession at Marble Arch Queen Victoria's Funeral Procession at Marble Arch
1901 3 mins Silent
The funeral procession approaches Paddington
Proclamation of King Edward VII, Market Place, Accrington (1901) Proclamation of King Edward VII, Market Place, Accrington (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 2 mins Silent Location: Accrington
The Edwardian era kicks off with the proclamation of the new King.
Royal Yacht Victoria and Albert and Liner Ophir Royal Yacht Victoria and Albert and Liner Ophir
Non-Fiction 1901 1 mins
The future George VI heads to Australia
Afternoon Tea in the Garden of Clarence House Afternoon Tea in the Garden of Clarence House
Non-Fiction 1897 0 mins Silent
Members of Queen Victoria's extended family being natural for the cameras
H.M. The Queen at Garden Party, Buckingham Palace, June 1897 H.M. The Queen at Garden Party, Buckingham Palace, June 1897
Documentary 1897 1 mins Silent Location: Buckingham Palace
Queen Victoria arrives for a garden party at Buckingham Palace following her Diamond Jubilee
Queen Victoria's Funeral: Ships Fire a Salute in the Solent Queen Victoria's Funeral: Ships Fire a Salute in the Solent
1901 1 mins Silent
After a procession in Cowes, the funeral enters its second major phase
Scenes at Balmoral Scenes at Balmoral
Non-Fiction 1896 1 mins Silent Location: Balmoral Castle
Queen Victoria and family experience the new 'cinematograph process'
The Late Queen's Visit to Dublin: Royal Procession Entering the City Gates The Late Queen's Visit to Dublin: Royal Procession Entering the City Gates
Non-Fiction 1900 2 mins
In Dublin, the crowds go wild for a rare glimpse of Queen Victoria as she enters the city in spectacular style
Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee - Paul - St Paul's North - Guards and Escort Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee - Paul - St Paul's North - Guards and Escort
Non-Fiction 1897 1 mins Silent
This camera position, in one of the raised stands right by St Paul’s, will have cost RW Paul a pretty penny.
Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee - Paul - St Paul's South - Arrival of Queen's Carriage Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee - Paul - St Paul's South - Arrival of Queen's Carriage
Non-Fiction 1897 1 mins Silent
Queen Victoria can just be made out under her umbrella in this sequence filmed in St Paul’s Churchyard during her Diamond Jubilee.
Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee - Paul - St Paul's South - Indian Escort and Queen Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee - Paul - St Paul's South - Indian Escort and Queen
Non-Fiction 1897 1 mins Silent
The moment preceding the arrival of the Queen's Carriage
Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee - Paul - York Road - Royal Carriages Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee - Paul - York Road - Royal Carriages
Non-Fiction 1897 1 mins Silent
The head of the procession approaches Westminster Bridge
Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee Paul (St Paul's: North 1) Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee Paul (St Paul's: North 1)
Non-Fiction 1897 1 mins Silent
The Guards and Princes arrive at St Paul’s during Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.
Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee - Prestwich Footage Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee - Prestwich Footage
Non-Fiction 1897 3 mins Silent
An impressive array of Queen Victoria's Life Guards and Royal Horse Artillery
Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee unidentified Lumiere film (3) Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee unidentified Lumiere film (3)
Non-Fiction 1897 1 mins Silent
The Queen arriving at St Paul's
Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee (Unidentified Location) Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee (Unidentified Location)
Non-Fiction 1897 0 mins Silent
A particularly enigmatic fragment of Jubilee film.
Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee - Cape Mounted Riflemen and Dragoons Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee - Cape Mounted Riflemen and Dragoons
1897 1 mins Silent
Mounted colonial troops reach St Paul's
Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee Paul (York Road 1) Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee Paul (York Road 1)
1897 1 mins Silent
A clear view of the head of the procession at Westminster
Queen Victoria's Funeral - Prestwich Queen Victoria's Funeral - Prestwich
Non-Fiction 1901 3 mins Silent
Pomp and circumstance: crucial glimpses of the monarch’s funeral, the media event of its age
Unidentified Coronation of Edward VII Unidentified Coronation of Edward VII
Non-Fiction 1901 2 mins Silent
The Coronation of Edward VII - probably...
Through Three Reigns Through Three Reigns
Documentary 1922 56 mins Silent
A look back at history as recorded by the cinematograph
Diamond Jubilee Procession Taken from Apsley House Diamond Jubilee Procession Taken from Apsley House
Non-Fiction 1897 1 mins Silent
Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee procession pivots past this well-chosen camera position.
Funeral Cortege Arriving at Trinity Pier Funeral Cortege Arriving at Trinity Pier
1901 2 mins Silent
The Queen's coffin near the start of its long journey
Gladstone's Funeral - Entering Westminster Abbey Gladstone's Funeral - Entering Westminster Abbey
1898 1 mins Silent
The State Funeral of former Prime Minister William Ewart prompted a media event that saw a number of companies present. Most of their footage of the day does not survive, making these images of the procession all the more precious.
Lord Roberts' Arrival in London Lord Roberts' Arrival in London
Non-Fiction 1901 1 mins Location: London
A conquering Boer War hero enjoys a rapturous homecoming parade
Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee - Paul - York Road - Head of Procession and Colonials Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee - Paul - York Road - Head of Procession and Colonials
Non-Fiction 1897 2 mins Silent
Royal Carriages approach Westminster Bridge
Coronation Procession at St. Boswells Coronation Procession at St. Boswells
Non-Fiction 1928 2 mins Silent Location: St Boswells
The big occasion, as celebrated in a small town
Coronation of Their Majesties King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra Coronation of Their Majesties King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra
Non-Fiction 1902 1 mins Silent
Scene from Britain's first ever filmed coronation
King Edward, Prince of Wales, and Members of the Royal Household Passing Between the Royal Yacht and the S.S. "Ophir" King Edward, Prince of Wales, and Members of the Royal Household Passing Between the Royal Yacht and the S.S. "Ophir"
1 mins Silent
A soon-to-be-crowned King Edward VII waves off Prince George, en route to Australia