From Sat 24 Jan: Love Letters exhibition reveals the lengths we go for love

Love has always been a powerful force that has shaped the course of history. From forbidden romances to dangerous liaisons, love has played a significant role in the lives of some of the most famous figures in British history. And now, the National Archives is giving us a glimpse into these passionate and often tumultuous love affairs through a new exhibition, Love Letters.

Opening on Saturday, 24 January 2026, Love Letters will showcase a collection of intimate and heartfelt letters that have survived the test of time. Among these treasured artifacts is a never-before-seen love letter from John Cairncross, the “fifth man” of the infamous Cambridge Five spy ring.

For those unfamiliar with the Cambridge Five, they were a group of British spies who passed classified information to the Soviet Union during World War II and the early years of the Cold War. The group consisted of five members, including Kim Philby, Donald Maclean, Guy Burgess, Anthony Blunt, and John Cairncross. Their actions had a significant impact on British intelligence and international relations, and their identities were not revealed until many years later.

John Cairncross, the least known member of the Cambridge Five, was a brilliant scholar and a master of deception. He was also a man deeply in love. The love letter on display at the National Archives is addressed to his lover, a fellow Cambridge student, and reveals a side of Cairncross that few have seen before. In it, he pours out his heart and soul, expressing his love and longing for his partner. It is a poignant and moving testament to the power of love, even in the midst of dangerous and uncertain times.

But Cairncross’s love letter is just one of the many fascinating exhibits in the Love Letters exhibition. Visitors will also have the opportunity to see love letters from other famous figures in British history, including Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton, and King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. These letters offer a unique insight into the personal lives of these iconic figures and their passionate love affairs.

The Love Letters exhibition is a must-see for anyone interested in British history, romance, or simply the power of love. It is a rare chance to get up close and personal with these intimate and personal artifacts, and to experience the emotions and desires of some of the most famous individuals in British history.

But the exhibition is not just about love and romance. It also sheds light on the dangers and risks that these love affairs often entailed. From secret rendezvous to coded messages, these love letters reveal the lengths that people would go to in order to be with the ones they loved, even if it meant putting their lives at risk.

The National Archives is proud to present this unique and captivating exhibition, which not only showcases the power of love but also highlights the importance of preserving our history and heritage. The love letters on display are a testament to the enduring nature of love and its ability to transcend time and place.

So mark your calendars and make sure to visit the National Archives from 24 January 2026 to witness this extraordinary collection of love letters. It is an experience that will leave you captivated, moved, and perhaps even inspired to pen your own love letter. After all, as the Love Letters exhibition shows, love knows no boundaries and can conquer even the most dangerous of circumstances.