The Duchess of Cornwall made a special visit to Jane Austen’s House in Hampshire today (April 6).
The visit comprised of a tour of the house, which was Austen’s home for the last eight years of her life and where she lived, wrote and published her novels.
During her visit she viewed the drawing room, where Jane Austen herself read aloud from her very own copy of Pride and Prejudice the day before its publication in 1813 and the dining room, where Austen wrote and where her precious writing table remains.
She also saw first editions of Austen’s novels, a topaz cross necklaces belonging to Jane and her sister, family portrait miniatures and the iconic Mr Darcy white shirt worn by Colin Firth in the 1995 BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.
Her Royal Highness was greeted by Director Lizzie Dunford and during the tour met trustees Isabel Hughes and Professor Kathryn Sutherland.
Lizzie Dunford, director at Jane Austen’s House, said: “It has been a privilege to share Jane Austen’s House and some of the outstanding treasures of our collection with Her Royal Highness, from Austen’s writing table to the famous topaz crosses that inspired Mansfield Park. It was a delight to show Her Royal Highness around the House as she is such an avid reader and supporter of literacy. Her Royal Highness was fascinated by Jane Austen’s tiny writing table, the letters she wrote here and the first editions of her novels.
“Jane Austen is one of the world’s most beloved authors, and her House is the most treasured Austen site. Here she lived for the last eight years of her life and her genius flourished. It is wonderful to know that with the help of Her Royal Highness’ The Duchess of Cornwall’s Reading Room we continue to reach new audiences and to share Jane’s extraordinary life, works and legacy with the nation, and indeed the world.”
The roof at the house has recently been restored, a big project that required numerous reclaimed, handmade clay roof tiles to be installed by specialist contractors.
Jane Austen’s House is currently open every weekend from 10am to 5pm.
The house will be open for the entire Easter weekend and running a family-friendly 'Great Easter Bonnet Hunt'.
The house will open five days a week from May 4.
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