Insights and behind the scenes from our palaces
Using Heritage Science to Conserve Queen Caroline's State Bed
13 September 2024
Work on Queen Caroline’s much-loved State bed, which we care for on behalf of the Royal Collection Trust, continues at Hampton Court Palace and our attentions are now drawn to protecting the feet of this priceless historic object.
Searching for the Young Black Man in the Portrait of William III, Part I
17 May 2024
A young Black man dressed in blue and gold holding a helmet stands beside William III in a portrait that is a focal point of our exhibition: Untold Lives: A Palace at Work. Who was he? Where did he live and when? Why is he in the painting with William III? And how can historians unravel the mystery surrounding him?
400 Years of William Shakespeare at Hampton Court
06 November 2023
On 8 November 1623, John Heminges and Henry Condell, completed the collected works of William Shakespeare – now known as the ‘First Folio’. Here, we explore how this period was brought to life at Hampton Court Palace this summer, using research into the playwright’s palace connections.
Charles II's Coronation Procession from the Tower of London
24 April 2023
Curator of Historic Buildings, Alden Gregory, takes a look at Charles II's Coronation - the last coronation in which the Tower of London played a starring role.
Wren's Royal Palace
08 March 2023
Head of Historic Buildings Daniel Jackson looks at one of Sir Christopher Wren's most famous and problematic projects: the remodelling of Hampton Court Palace.
Frances Stuart and Barbara Villiers
10 February 2023
Learn about the relationship between Frances Stuart and Barbara Villiers, two of the most influential women at the court of King Charles II.
The Tempest at Whitehall Palace
01 November 2021
1 November 1611 was the first recorded performance of William Shakespeare's The Tempest. Curator Brett Dolman reflects on the Jacobean court setting in which it was first performed and how its themes reflect the ambitions and fears of James I's reign.
Restoring Genius: Grinling Gibbons's Carvings in the Orangery of Kensington Palace
30 July 2021
03 August marks the 300th anniversary of the death of Grinling Gibbons, the greatest woodcarver in British history. Buildings Curator Lee Prosser introduces us to some of his lesser-known but incredibly important works in the Orangery at Kensington Palace.
A Queer Walk through Hampton Court Palace
11 February 2021
When you next visit Hampton Court, bring a queer eye to the palace. Shift your perception. Actively look around you. I promise there is a rich history to find.