Ham House to star in The Young Victoria (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Ham House to star in The Young Victoria

12:17pm Wednesday 18th February 2009

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Ham House is set to hit the big screen next month as it features a key location in the new film The Young Victoria.

The picture, set for nationwide release on March 6, tells the story of the young Queen Victoria - who reigned from 1837 to 1901 - focusing on her early life and her marriage to Prince Albert.

The interior and exterior of Ham House - owned by the National Trust, which preserves and protects the nation’s landscape - was used in the film to represent Kensington Palace where Victoria was born and spent her early years and features in the scene where Victoria and Albert meet for the first time.

Emily Blunt, who appeared in The Devil Wears Prada, stars as Victoria and Rupert Friend, who was Mr Wickham in the 2005 film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, takes the role of Albert with BAFTA Award winning duo Jim Broadbent and Miranda Richardson also appearing.

Jorge Ferreira, visitor services manager at Ham House, explained filming took just under a month and little was altered at the 17th-century mansion on the bank of the River Thames.

He said: “The cast and crew made extensive use of the property, from the gardens to the Great Hall. These two areas, as well as the famous Long Gallery and Great Stairs, were used as scenes in the movie.

“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.”

Ham House and its gardens opened to the public last Saturday, February 14, and will remain to until November 1, it is open from 12-4pm, excluding Thursdays and Fridays.

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