How did it happen that a German prince suddenly became ruler of an empire? How did the "immigrant kings" come to be accepted in Great Britain? And what does "Gulliver’s Travels" have to do with politics? Answers to these and numerous other questions can befound in the exhibition, which sheds light on a lot more than just the lives and works of the five kings of the personal union.

There was a fertile exchange of knowledge and art between London and Hanover, which will be illustrated by valuable objects from around the world, and clearly demonstrated with hands-on exhibits. The rise of pomp and ceremony in the London court is one theme oft he exhibition, as are the founding of Göttingen University, the effect of Georg Friedrich Handel on the court in London and the influence of English fashion in Hanover.

Lower Saxony State Museum Hanover
Willy-Brandt-Allee 5
D-30169 Hannover
Tel: +49 (0)511/9807 686
www.landesmuseum-hannover.de

To be staged in the wings of the rebuilt Herrenhausen Palace that house the museum, the exhibition recounts the story of the new Electorate of Hanover on the eve of the personal union and during its early years. The show not only reveals the essential elements of representative court life around the turn of the 18th century but also brings together a fascinating selection of fine exhibits ranging from Baroque pomp to the simple everyday court life of the Guelphs of Hanover.

In the west wing of the former Guelph summer residence, the visitor encounters the unique collection of Reichsgraf Johann Ludwig von Wallmoden-Gimborn (1736-1811). As the illegitimate son of George II, he was born and grew up in England, brought his passion for art from the island to Hanover, and established an important collection of an tiques and paintings here. Dispersed by auction in 1818, now over 200 years later, some highlights of the large number of treasures from international museums are on show in Hanover for the first time again.

Herrenhausen Palace
Herrenhäuser Strasse 5
D-30419 Hannover
Tel.: +49 (0)511/168-44543
www.hannover.de

The Royal State Coach is the centrepiece of this exhibition. This impressive coach was built in 1782 for the Opening of Parliament ceremony in London. In 1814, following victory over the Napoleonic troops and the elevation of Hanover to a Kingdom, the coach was brought over to the mainland. The coach was used in 1821 on the occasion of King George IV's long awaited trip to Hanover. The exhibition tells the story of the Royal State Coach, which serves as a unique illustration of the personal connection between Great Britain and Hanover. In addition, the exhibition portrays the young Kingdom of Hanover against the background of British world power: the Guelph rulers and their local representatives, the political debates about the Constitution and land reforms, the extensive traditional economy, as well as Hanover as a royal seat, which was given a grandiose new face by Georg Ludwig Friedrich Laves, master builder to the court.

Historisches Museum Hannover
Pferdestr. 6
D-30159 Hannover
Tel.: +49 (0)511/168-43052
www.historisches-museum-hannover.de

Caricatures paint a vital picture of English politics and society during the personal union and are the central theme of the exhibition in the Wallmoden Palace. Visitors will be catapulted into the thick of events - brought into the Royal Court, where the royals from the House of Hanover and their families are highlighted with all their human weaknesses, or into parliament, where leading politicians are debating the country‘s destiny. The caricatures criticise political decisions and developments, comment on scandal and intrigue, and with various tittle-tattle, provide an amusing look at notable fi gures of society. Due to the widespread presence of printshops in London, caricatures reached a wide public and thus played a role in shaping the political opinion of the time.

Wilhelm Busch - Deutsches Museum für Karikatur und Zeichenkunst Georgengarten
D-30167 Hannover
Tel.: +49 (0)511/16 99 99-11/16
www.karikatur-museum.de

The exhibition is dedicated to the Guelphs' rise to political power. After the Thirty Years' War, the Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg was fragmented and had lost much of its influence and importance. However, some 65 years later, it was to be a great European power, whose rulers wore the crown of Great Britain. This development was driven systematically by the ruling dynasty through marriage, wars and the creation of strongholds. The Guelph rulers reorganised their state, and thereby created the financial basis for a rise to power. In the original settings of the historic stately palace rooms, the town of Celle presents a unique insight into the pre-history of the personal union and life at that time.

Residenzmuseum in Celle Castle
Schlossplatz 1
D-29221 Celle
Tel.: +49 (0)5141/12372
www.residenzmuseum.de