Princess Catherine hails the V&A East storehouse’s public opening as a boost for creativity and learning.

Princess Catherine stepped behind the scenes at the Victoria and Albert Museum’s vast new East London storehouse, witnessing first-hand a project designed to open up hidden treasures to the public. The Princess of Wales toured the newly-opened facility at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, where over 600,000 objects from the museum’s extraordinary collection are housed.

Praising the initiative, Catherine called it a “fantastic idea” to allow visitors unprecedented access to priceless pieces of art, design, and fashion that would otherwise remain locked away. “What an opportunity for everyone to see historic pieces first hand,” she said enthusiastically. “They’re not just behind the scenes and stored away somewhere. You can see them in person and up close.”

The V&A East Storehouse, an ambitious purpose-built arts storage centre, aims to democratise access to the museum’s immense archives. Unlike traditional behind-the-scenes storage facilities, this space invites the public in, offering a chance to view thousands of items rarely seen by museum-goers. The storehouse features an “order an object” service, allowing visitors to book appointments and examine specific pieces up close, guided by expert staff.

During her visit, Catherine was shown around the towering store rooms by the museum’s director, Tristram Hunt. As they explored, the princess viewed conservation work being carried out on fragile textiles, a glimpse into the delicate care behind preserving historical artefacts. Among the pieces presented to her were designs by the famed Victorian textile artist William Morris. Admiring one particular foliage pattern, she commented on its timeless appeal, noting how such historic designs could still feel contemporary.

Catherine engaged closely with the museum staff, showing keen interest in the conservation process. She discussed with Mr Hunt the significance of making creative opportunities accessible to wider audiences, particularly emphasising the educational potential such spaces hold for children, students, and future generations of designers and artists.

According to royal sources, the visit aimed to spotlight the importance of creative learning and to celebrate the power of creativity as a universal force for education and inspiration. The Princess of Wales, who has long championed the importance of the arts and early childhood development, was visibly impressed by the centre’s educational outreach potential.

The V&A’s main museum in South Kensington holds only a fraction of its full collection on display at any one time, leaving the majority of its artefacts in storage. The East Storehouse seeks to revolutionise that model, offering transparency and accessibility to its vast archives while preserving the integrity of the items themselves. Visitors can now step into these treasure-filled vaults, previously the domain of curators and scholars, and experience history up close.

The V&A East Storehouse is part of a broader cultural development in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park area, a legacy project following the 2012 London Olympics. Alongside other institutions such as the BBC, London College of Fashion, and Sadler’s Wells East, the site is fast becoming a thriving cultural and educational hub.

Catherine’s visit adds royal support to the museum’s mission of making art and design accessible to all, regardless of background. Her presence underscored the value placed on creativity and its role in both personal development and national heritage.

As Catherine departed, museum staff expressed their delight at her interest and the spotlight her visit brings to the innovative new facility. With free public access now open, the V&A East Storehouse stands ready to welcome visitors eager to explore the hidden gems of one of the world’s most renowned museums.