Princess of Wales Visits V&A East Storehouse, Explores 500,000+ Collections in London

The Victoria and Albert Museum's new East Storehouse in Stratford, London, offers public access to over 500,000 of its creative works, many of which are usually kept behind the scenes. The museum features an innovative 'order an object' system allowing visitors to request items for close viewing with staff, showcasing a diverse and eclectic collection ranging from historic textiles to musical instruments and protest memorabilia. The Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, visited the Storehouse to explore this system firsthand, expressing admiration for the accessible and varied collection and praising the museum's effort to democratize access to art and design. The museum's open layout and use of QR codes for information highlight a modern approach to museum curation, allowing visitors to engage deeply without overwhelming them. Kate's visit, which included examining nature-themed items and William Morris textiles, underlined the Storehouse's role in celebrating creativity and offering a behind-the-scenes experience previously reserved for museum professionals. The V&A East Storehouse complements the main V&A museum and its other branches by emphasizing transparency and public involvement in the curatorial process.