New Chartwell Exhibition ‘Churchill: Image and Power’ Unveiled
A bold new exhibition at Chartwell reveals how Winston Churchill curated his image to become one of the most recognisable figures of the 20th century.
Uniforms and clothing worn by Sir Winston Churchill, along with some of his accessories which he used to create his iconic image, are being put on show by the National Trust at Chartwell in Westerham, his beloved country home in a newly restored uniform room. This innovative display brings together an extraordinary and uniquely presented collection of Churchill’s uniforms and clothing items, offering a new glimpse into the life and legacy of Britain’s wartime leader through the lens of his wardrobe.
In a first for the National Trust, these uniforms are now fitted on custom-built mannequins sculpted to Churchill’s measurements at the time of wearing and positioned to match his distinctive posture and gait. Each figure has been carefully posed to reflect how Churchill stood, walked, or addressed a crowd, bringing his presence as well as his personality vividly to life. This new display gives an up-close and personal view of his most iconic outfits and combines meticulous historical restoration with a striking visual narrative of Churchill’s identity through clothing.
Winston Churchill demonstrated his understanding of the importance of his image when he wrote in his book ‘Thoughts and Adventures’ in June 1931 “One of the most necessary features of a public man’s equipment is some distinctive mark which everyone learns to look for and recognise”. On 5 March 1946, en route to deliver his famous ‘Iron Curtain’ speech in Missouri, he asked for the car to stop, saying: ‘I can’t light my cigar in this wind, and I know the people will be expecting it’.
Six iconic uniforms are now displayed in modern conservation-grade cases, each tells a story of Churchill’s evolving roles. From his Privy Councillor tailcoat to his custom-made siren suit and ten-gallon hat, each garment tells a story of Churchill’s multifaceted roles, as a soldier, statesman, a father and ultimately a symbol of wartime resilience.
For the first time, visitors can view Churchill’s University of Oslo Duskelue, worn during his honorary doctorate ceremony in 1948, and his monogrammed velvet slippers, commissioned for comfort and style and re-ordered many times at a cost of roughly £415 in today’s money. Other personal items include Churchill’s iconic cigars and his Cambridge Bowler Hat which he frequently wore to public events and engagements during the Second World War to remain instantly recognisable.
Katherine Carter, Property Curator at Chartwell, has done extensive research into the clothing items on display and said: “Churchill understood the power of image and that image being memorable. His uniforms, hats, and even slippers were part of a carefully curated identity. This exhibition allows us to see Churchill in some of his most iconic guises, which contributed to him being among the most recognisable people in history.”
These objects are now on public display thanks to the generosity of National Trust members and donors which also helped to fund the restoration of the Uniform Room back to the time when the Churchills lived there. Once Churchills’ principal guest bedroom, hosting legends like T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) and Charlie Chaplin. It was named the Henry VIII Room, perpetuating the legend that the Tudor king stayed here while courting Anne Boleyn at nearby Hever Castle.
The room later became a dining room, where Churchill entertained figures such as Field Marshall Montgomery, Anthony Eden and Princess Margaret. However, the room was returned to a guest bedroom after fears that journalists were eavesdropping outside the house when the windows were open during hot summer days. Later, following Churchill’s death it became a museum gallery commissioned by Lady Churchill after she saw a commemorative display marking Sir Winston’s funeral in the window of London clothing store Jaeger. Now, the room has been restored back to its 1930s domestic character, complete with exposed 17th-century beams and fireplace.
‘Churchill: Image and Power’ will be open to visitors (with normal admission), for a limited eight-week period until 2 November, before the house closes for winter conservation. During the festive season, selected rooms (excluding the uniform room) will remain open to the public before the house re-opens again in spring in the new year. For more information, visit nationaltrust.org.uk/chartwell.
