Queen Mary was an avid collector of all types of art, her most famous acquisition being Queen Mary's Dolls' House at Windsor, whilst Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has acquired works by both contemporary and historic artists during her reign.

King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra were significant patrons of Fabergé, and formed a wonderful collection of his works.

Much of the modern Royal Collection was acquired by the Hanoverians.  Enthusiastic collectors and patrons such as George III and George IV continued to collect paintings, drawings and furniture, whilst Queen Victoria and Prince Albert also supported the emergent art form of photography and contemporary artists.

Charles I was a great patron of the arts, although much of his collection was scattered during the Commonwealth, his successors continued to acquire material, and to recover Charles I's collection.

The House of Tudor included some of the most famous rulers in England's history, and saw the beginnings of what was to become the Royal Collection