CASERTA – On 19 December, the international exhibition “Queens: Threads of Culture and Diplomacy between Naples and Europe” was inaugurated at the Royal Palace of Caserta, where it will remain open until 20 April 2026. The exhibition pays tribute to the queens who, over the centuries, contributed to shaping the political, cultural and diplomatic landscape of the Kingdom of Naples, forging relationships with the leading European courts.
H.R.H. Prince Charles of Bourbon-Two Sicilies attended the opening ceremony, accompanied by his wife, Princess Camilla, and their daughters, Princesses Maria Carolina and Maria Chiara.
The Royal Family also played a leading role as lenders of several artworks that once belonged to their ancestors and are currently in their possession. These works are being displayed to the public for the first time, in a setting of great symbolic and historical significance.
“Returning to the Royal Palace of Caserta means returning to the deepest roots of my family,” declared Charles of Bourbon-Two Sicilies. “This place was commissioned by King Charles of Bourbon as a symbol of vision and the future, and it was also here that my great-grandfather, Prince Alfonso, Count of Caserta, was born. We did not hesitate for a moment to lend the artworks that belonged to our ancestors: doing so is a source of great joy for us. It is not merely a cultural gesture, but an act of affection, a way of giving back to the community a part of our shared history.”
Alongside him, Princess Camilla highlighted the significance of the exhibition from a feminine and emotional perspective:
“This exhibition tells the stories of women who left a profound mark on European history. For me, the Royal Palace is also a deeply personal place: our eldest daughter, Maria Carolina, was baptised here. Returning today for an exhibition dedicated to queens means bringing together personal and collective memory, emotion and responsibility. This exhibition teaches us that a woman’s role is never marginal when embraced with awareness. These queens remind us that education, study, culture and a sense of duty are instruments of freedom. It is not about imitating the past, but about drawing inspiration from it to build the future.”
The theme of women’s role in the contemporary world was also addressed by Maria Carolina of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, who has been active internationally for several years:
“The queens portrayed in this exhibition exercised a power that was often silent, yet decisive. We often think that female empowerment is a purely contemporary achievement. In reality, this exhibition reminds us that even in the past there were women capable of governing, engaging in dialogue with Europe and influencing the course of history. This is a lesson I also carry into my work with the United Nations: continuing to fight for women’s rights, their participation and leadership that is both inclusive and meaningful.”
Finally, Maria Chiara of Bourbon-Two Sicilies turned her attention to the present and the future, highlighting the role of younger generations:
“This exhibition demonstrates that history is not something distant. Emancipation also comes through cultural participation and the presence of young people today in symbolic places such as the Royal Palace, where we can recognise ourselves and develop new awareness. My generation has the responsibility to make history accessible, understandable and alive. It is not about celebrating the past, but about engaging in a dialogue with it.”
The “Regine” exhibition forms part of the broader initiative to enhance the Royal Palace of Caserta as a European cultural crossroads, reaffirming the dialogue between past and present and highlighting the role of women – both yesterday and today – in shaping history.
