Meet George I, the new British king...from Germany

It’s summer 1714 and at Hampton Court Palace the courtiers spill out onto the riverside to await King George I, newly arrived from Hanover to take up the British throne. As the glittering royal barge nears, the assembled guard of honour take up their places and the band of royal musicians strike up a tune. The King steps off onto the bank, to be greeted by…you.

This Easter weekend, experience all of the excitement of King George I’s very first arrival at Hampton Court Palace. Watch as the royal barge once again brings the King up river to the palace, and become part of the lucky group chosen to welcome him to his new Kingdom. Hear the gossip from the ladies of the court as they take tea in the gardens – why has the King arrived without his Queen? Is the feud between the King and his son the Prince of Wales really as bitter as rumours suggest? – and follow the crowds inside as George greets his new English courtiers.

Watch as the courtiers perform their stately dance, or sneak off below stairs to join the servants’ raucous celebrations. Outside, the palace’s historic formal gardens will once again play host to the King’s troupe of Hanoverian horses, performing a dazzling display of horse ballet. Further afield, the Georgian Army returns to set up camp at the palace for one weekend only – be sure to catch their dramatic firing displays.

A stunning re-presentation of the Queen’s State Apartments will explore who this new Hanoverian dynasty were, how they came to rule Britain and how their extraordinary bitter family rows played out in public. Visitors will be able to experience the same sights, sounds, foods and even smells as the homesick George I, while he battled with his son and redoubtable daughter–in–law – the future Queen Caroline – for royal supremacy in Britain.

The arrival of King George I at Hampton Court Palace is part of the Glorious Georges season, an exciting celebration of the loves, lives and scandals of the Georgian monarchs across Historic Royal Palaces in 2014, to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Hanoverian Accession to the British throne.