Cloaks fit for a King, no, a Queen!

This past week, I had the honour of examining the korowai that was one of the two kakahu (cloaks) that were gifted to Queen Victoria in July 1863, by a delegation of Māori chiefs who were granted an audience with her at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight.

After arrangements were made by Owen Taituha, the curator of Te Kōngahu Museum, my opportunity eventuated this week and the physical examination undertaken. I will now complete an Historical and Technical Report based on the delegation’s meeting with the Queen and the pair of kākahu, being the kaitaka and the korowai. This will be provided to the Royal Collections Trust, Te Kōngahu Museum, and the Ngāpuhi community.

Thank you to cultural practitioners Makareta Jahnke and Alicia Courtney, who joined me, for their expert insights and commentary, which genuinely enriched the experience.

In January 2024, I had the opportunity to visit Osborne House (the Queen's Summer Palace), where I examined the kaitaka that was gifted to the Queen at the same time as this korowai, and I had been patiently waiting for this opportunity to access and examine this korowai.

I’d like to acknowledge His Majesty King Charles III and the late Queen Elizabeth II for their support in providing access not only to these two taonga, but also to their personal library at the Royal Archives, Windsor Castle. I’d also like to acknowledge Caroline de Guitaut, Deputy Surveyor of The King's Works of Art, Royal Collections Trust, as well as Christopher Warleigh-Lack, Curator of Collections & Interiors – Osborne House & Isle of Wight, Dr’s Oliver Walton and Julie Cocker - Senior Archivists, Royal Archives, Owen Taituha - Curator, Te Kōngahu Museum, Waitangi Treaty Grounds, and Vickie Eggs - Guide, Osborne House.

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