Het Loo Palace is mounting the exhibition “Playing at the Palace” from 2 November 2008 to 22 February 2009. The highlights of the exhibition are the dolls, miniature tea and dinner services, games, toy farms and other favourite playthings belonging to the princes and princesses of the Royal Family from the 19th century onwards. The piece de résistance of the exhibition is the dolls house “Het Kleine Loo” that was specially made for the crown princesses Amalia, Alexia and Ariane.

Het Loo Palace, in partnership with the Royal Archives, is displaying a unique collection of toys from the lives of the children of the Royal Family of the House of Orange, and in particular the playthings dating from the childhood years of Queen Wilhelmina and Queen Juliana. The princesses’ dolls often had extensive wardrobes and furniture to match. Moreover, the collection includes quite a few of the childhood toys of princess Beatrix and her three sisters. The red pedal car belonging to Prince Willem Alexander was handmade by his father, Prince Claus. And from Villa Eikenhorst, where the family of Prince Willem-Alexander lives, Het Loo is being loaned a special dolls’ house: “Het Kleine Loo”, constructed in 17th century style and inspired by Het Loo Palace. This unique dolls’ palace is beautifully decorated and furnished, complete with chandeliers, four poster canopy bed and porcelain services.
The royal children loved to play outdoors and this is illustrated by the pony traps and goat carriages belonging to the Princesses Wilhelmina and Juliana.
The exhibition “Playing at the Palace” complete with paintings, prints and photographs from the childhood years of the princes and princesses, offers a glimpse into the toy world of the Royal Family children from the 19th century until the present day.

For further information, please visit the website www.paleishetloo.nl.