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.
Reviving Mary II's Citrus Collection at Hampton Court
23 August 2024
In the 17th century, Mary II displayed over 2000 citrus plants at Hampton Court Palace. And now, thanks to the hard work of our gardeners, part of Mary's collection has been recreated.
Charles II and the Discovery of the 'Princes in the Tower' in 1674
17 July 2024
Tower of London Curator Charles Farris explores one of the most famous discoveries in the Tower’s history – a small chapter in the continuing mystery of the Princes in the Tower.
Searching for the Young Black Man in the Portrait of William III, Part II
24 May 2024
The next step in our search was to look at sources and pictures on William III's life before he arrived in England, and his first court, to attempt to discover more about this young man, and why he might have been painted with the King.
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?
Responding to Climate Change in the Hampton Court Gardens
29 March 2024
As our climate changes, so do our gardens. Graham Dillamore, Head Gardener at Hampton Court Palace, shares how his team are adapting to these challenges.
'The new Terrors of Death': Dr John Arbuthnot, Queen Anne’s favourite physician
11 March 2024
Dr John Arbuthnot was among the army of medical specialists who were summonsed to serve the Royal family in the 18th century. Arbuthnot is little remembered today, but he was 'the Queen’s favourite physician' — a gentle-mannered confidante to courtiers, politicians, poets, writers and ladies-in-waiting alike.
'Below Stairs' in Sickness, Death and Old Age
29 February 2024
What happened to those who worked in the royal palaces when they fell ill, grew old, or when they died, leaving loved ones behind?
Saving our Baroque Box Hedging at Hampton Court Palace
15 February 2024
Senior Gardener Amy Borthwick explains a new 'Box Battle' going on deep within the Privy Garden of Hampton Court Palace, and the plans to save it.
The King’s Favourite: George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
01 February 2024
In the ruthless world of the Stuart court, royal favour was everything. No one knew this better than George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, whose rise to power was built on the love and patronage of James I.