Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal is presented with a copy of Treasures of the Kennel Club by KC Chairman Ronnie Irving at the opening of the Kennel Club Art Gallery last week

On the 28th January, HRH the Princess Royal visited the Kennel Club’s Crufts: A celebration of the world’s greatest dog show exhibition at the newly opened Kennel Club Art Gallery. She was welcomed by Kennel Club Chairman, Ronnie Irving and was presented to senior members of the Kennel Club Staff, Chief Executives of many of Crufts’ major sponsors as well as representatives of the specialised canine press.

Having viewed the exhibition, Ronnie Irving thanked the Princess Royal for her attendance and for her support as patron of the Animal Health Trust with which the KC has very close ties. In reply, the Princess clearly demonstrated her knowledge and expertise about dogs, dog shows, breeding and genetics. Those present were impressed with humour, her understanding of the broad range of problems facing the world of dogs and dog ownership and her relaxed, confident response that was made without notes and discussed in considerable detail many of the remarks that had been made by the Chairman and during her conversations during the visit.

The exhibition, which is running from the 5th January until the 28th May, offers a unique insight into what has become the greatest dog show in the world. Fine art paintings featuring a selection of Best in Show winners and entries, grace the walls, and include renowned artists such as Arthur Wardle, Fredrick Thomas Daws and Ruben Ward Binks. The Princess was able to enjoy an extensive display of Crufts cartoons which record the highs and lows of dog showing as well as prize trophies presented in their full splendour and which until now have not been publicly displayed.

Heritage

The Princess Royal had the opportunity to explore more of the Kennel Club’s extensive art collection via touch screen laptops, which include an electronic collection recording the heritage of Crufts through historical photographs, provided by the Kennel Club Picture Library. Of special interest to the Princess Royal may have been a collection of images paying homage to Crufts’ many Royal visitors. During her visit to the Gallery the Princess Royal was also invited to take a tour of the Gallery’s permanent exhibition which showcases some of the most important pieces from the Kennel Club’s own canine art collection. She had the opportunity to meet many of those most closely connected to Crufts, the Kennel Club and the KC Charitable Trust all closely connected to the Animal Health Trust of which Her Royal Highness is President.

The Kennel Club is delighted that Her Royal Highness visited the Kennel Club Art Gallery. The visit by the Princess Royal demonstrates further that the display is much more than just an exhibition of dog showing but a celebration of an event that has become a British institution.