'Lost Prince' Henry Celebrated In New Show At National Portrait Gallery

Britain's 'Lost Prince' Remembered In New Exhibition

The life of a "lost prince" who died before he could take the throne is marked in a new exhibition which includes his post-mortem report as well as miniatures and manuscripts.

Henry, Prince of Wales, who was 18 when he died in 1612 of typhoid fever, would have become King Henry IX if he had lived.

The exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery has 80 exhibits including paintings, one of his school books and a post-mortem report used to disprove rumours that he had been poisoned.

Funeral effigy of Henry, Prince of Wales, used in 1612

Curator Catharine MacLeod said: "This exhibition provides a wonderful opportunity to assemble, for the first time since Prince Henry's death 400 years ago, a group of paintings, drawings and other extraordinary objects which give us a glimpse into the spectacular and culturally rich life of this exceptional prince."

Gallery director Sandy Nairne said the prince, the son of King James I, helped establish Britain "as a cultural player on the world stage".

He said: "On the 400th anniversary of his death we are delighted to be able to stage this revelatory exhibition."

The Lost Prince: The Life And Death Of Henry Stuart starts at the central London gallery on 18 October.

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