Ham House, located on the river Thames in
Richmond, Surrey, is a key location in one of 2009's period films -'The Young Victoria'.
The film chronicles Queen Victoria's ascension to the throne, focusing on the early
and turbulent years of her reign and her legendary romance and marriage to Prince Albert.
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About the filming
Both the interiors and exteriors of Ham House were used in the
film, and represented Kensington Palace where Victoria was born and spent her early years. The Trust
property also posed as the location within the film where Victoria sees Albert for the first time.
With a cast including Emily Blunt as Victoria, Jim Broadbent as King William and
Miranda Richardson as the Duchess of Kent; producers including Martin Scorsese and Sarah Ferguson, the
Duchess of York, and with sumptuously-shot scenes featuring stunning costumes and set designs, it’s
set to be the period blockbuster for spring.
Jorge Ferreira, Visitor Services Manager at Ham House, described what it was like
to be involved in the filming:
'The cast and crew were with us for just under a month in 2007,
and returned for a few days last year. They seemed to enjoy their time at Ham and were everywhere -
from the gardens to the Great Hall. These two areas as well as the Long Gallery and Great Stairs were
used at scenes in the movie.'
Little of Ham's interior was altered for the film, as Jorge explains:
'The rooms and spaces within the House were barely touched, which is testimony to
the grandeur of Ham House. Props aided some scenes, but the majority was shot in situ.'
Visitors to Ham were offered snippets of the filming, although some work and scenes
were hidden from view in anticipation of the final product.
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