Card of the Day: The British Empire Exhibition, Wembley

In 1924, the Crown attempted to recreate Prince Albert’s triumphant Great Exhibition of 1851 eith a similar exhibition of British Arts in Wembley. King George V took as keen as interest in this Exhibition as his grandfather had in the 1851 extravaganza. The event is showcased in the eighteenth in the series of commemorative cards produced in 1935 by Wills Cigarette Company for the Silver Jubilee of King George V and Queen Mary.


The reverse of the card reads:

THE BRITISH EMPIRE EXHIBITION, WEMBLEY


One hundred thousand people saw the King inaugurate the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley on April 23rd, 1924. Their Majesties drove from Windsor and on reaching the Stadium, the head of the Empire was asked by his son, The Prince of Wales (who was President of the Exhibition), to declare open this “picture of our Commonwealth of Nations. Within 220 acres of ground, the Exhibition comprised, as the King said, “a vivid model of the architecture, arts and industry of all the races which come under the British flag.” Seated opposite Their Majesties are the Prince of Wales and the Duke of York.

The Stadium Entrance, 1924