Written by Meg McGath

The Earl of Pembroke’s Wilton House was used in the Netflix Series “Bridgerton”. 

The character, Queen (consort) Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, is seen in Wilton House reading in front of the portrait of the 4th Earl of Pembroke and his family by Anthony Van Dyck. Philip, Lord Pembroke, was a grandson of Lady Anne (Parr), Countess of Pembroke and her only husband, Sir William, 1st Earl of Pembroke. 

Wilton House has been used in several shows & movies which includes Pride & Prejudice (2005). The portrait is humongous!

VAN DYCK’S PHILIP HERBERT, 4TH EARL OF PEMBROKE, WITH HIS FAMILY

Philip Herbert, 4th Earl of Pembroke, and his Family (1635 – oil on canvas – 330 x 510 cm<) is the largest painting ever made by Anton van Dyck, a joint portrait of the 4th Earl of Pembroke, his wife and children. All figures are slightly larger than life size and the impressive painting dominates the so-called Double Cube room at Wilton House, the Pembroke’s ancestral home for over four and a half centuries.

Anton Van Dyck, Philip Herbert, 4th Earl of Pembroke, with his Family, c. 1635 © Ph. Will Pryce | Collection of The Earl of Pembroke & the Wilton House Trust

Sources Used

• VAN DYCK’S PHILIP HERBERT, 4TH EARL OF PEMBROKE, WITH HIS FAMILY The Factum Foundation for Digital Technology

© 2025 Meg McGath. All research and original commentary belong to the author.