Royal Archives: How to use the collections

Published

The Royal Archives is the private archive of the Royal Family, and has housed the private papers of the monarchy from 1914, as well as significant historic material including the papers of George III, George IV, Queen Victoria and the exiled Stuarts.

The Royal Library is the official library of the Sovereign and is an incredibly diverse collection containing more than 200,000 items, including not only books and manuscripts, but also music, sound recordings, insignia, medals and coins.

Find out more about how you can access and use the collections in both the library and the archives with this downloadable information pack.

Related content

News

The Queen celebrates traditional crafts and local artists

 14 February 2024
The Queen visits Kindred Studios
News

The Queen hosts authors and illustrators of the new Modern-Day Miniature Library

 30 January 2024
The Queen attends a reception for the Centenary of Queen Mary's Dolls' House
Virtual Tour

Virtual tours: Windsor Castle

A Royal home and fortress for over 900 years, Winsdor Castle, the largest occupied castle in the world, remains a working palace today. The Queen uses the Castle both as a...

Feature

Summer Opening at Buckingham Palace

Members of the public can visit Buckingham Palace from July to September each year.
Press release 28 June 2017

The Royal Archives and Library of Congress plan major joint exhibition exploring two Georges

Read more
Feature

Opening up the Royal Archives

Media pack

Royal Archives: A guide to the collections

The Royal Archives were first established in 1914, during the early years of the reign of King George V. The need for an archive for the papers of the Royal Family and the...

Feature

Meet Brian: Visitor Operations Assistant
"I love talking to the public, welcoming them to the home of Monarchs, past and present"
Feature

Meet Kate: Senior Curator of Prints and Drawings
"Working with such a wonderful collection means there are always new things to learn."
Feature

Meet Morayo: Retail Manager
"My ideas are listened to and I know my contribution is valued"
Feature

Meet Oliver: Exhibitions Assistant
"My internship programme is an example of how professional development is supported"
Encyclopedia

William IV (r. 1830-1837)
Encyclopedia

Elizabeth I (r.1558-1603)
Encyclopedia

Mary I (r.1553-1558)
Encyclopedia

Lady Jane Grey (r. 10-19 July 1553)
Encyclopedia

Edward VI (r.1547-1553)
Encyclopedia

Henry VIII (r.1509-1547)
Encyclopedia

Henry VII (r. 1485-1509)
Encyclopedia

The Tudors
Encyclopedia

Richard III (r. 1483-1485)
Encyclopedia

Edward V (Apr-Jun 1483)
Encyclopedia

Edward IV (r. 1461-1470 and 1471-1483)
Encyclopedia

The Yorkists
Encyclopedia

Henry VI (r.1422-1461 and 1470-1471)
Encyclopedia

Henry V (r. 1413-1422)
Encyclopedia

Henry IV (r.1399-1413)
Encyclopedia

The Lancastrians
Encyclopedia

Richard II (r. 1377-1399)
Encyclopedia

Edward III (r. 1327-1377)
Encyclopedia

Edward II (r. 1307-1327)
Encyclopedia

Edward I 'Longshanks' (r. 1272-1307)
Encyclopedia

Henry III (r. 1216-1272)
Encyclopedia

The Plantagenets
Encyclopedia

John Lackland (r. 1199-1216)
Encyclopedia

Richard I Coeur de Lion ('The Lionheart') (r.1189-1199)
Encyclopedia

Henry II 'Curtmantle' (r. 1154-1189)
Encyclopedia

The Angevins
Encyclopedia

Stephen and Matilda (r. 1135-1154)
Encyclopedia

Henry I 'Beauclerc' (r. 1100-1135)
Encyclopedia

William II (Known as William Rufus) (r. 1087-1100)
Encyclopedia

William I 'The Conqueror' (r. 1066-1087)
Encyclopedia

The Normans
Encyclopedia

Edgar Atheling (r. Oct - Dec 1066)
Encyclopedia

Harold II (r. Jan - Oct 1066)
Encyclopedia

Edward III 'The Confessor' (r. 1042-1066)
Encyclopedia

Hardicanute (r. 1035-1042)
Encyclopedia

Harold Harefoot (r. 1035-1040)
Encyclopedia

Canute 'The Great' (r. 1016-1035)
Encyclopedia

Edmund II 'Ironside' (r. Apr - Nov 1016)
Encyclopedia

Sweyn (r. 1013-1014)