Insights and behind the scenes from our palaces
A Model of Queenship: Lady Elizabeth's Summer with Katherine Parr
20 September 2024
Tracy Borman travels back to 1544, when Elizabeth spent a happy summer at Hampton Court Palace watching her beloved stepmother, Katherine Parr act as Regent. This visit would have an enduring impact on the young princess.
Kensington Palaces's Most Magnificent Clock
23 March 2018
Today, the room’s design centres around one object: an ornate, sculptured musical clock surmounted on a grand pedestal, called the 'Temple of the Four Great Monarchies of the World'. It was purchased by Princess Augusta in around 1743 and placed in this room soon after.
Astronomy at the Top of the White Tower
12 March 2018
The White Tower of the Tower of London has three square turrets and one that is circular. One of the most interesting uses for this circular turret took place in 1675 when it became Britain's first temporary royal observatory.
Queen Victoria's petticoat wrapped up!
18 December 2017
In the last post we saw how Queen Victoria's petticoat has been conserved. It is now stable enough to be displayed and enjoyed by our visitors! However, for the time being, the petticoat will be carefully packed and stored within our Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection.
Kensington Palace Gains a Throne Canopy
06 December 2017
After its doors briefly closed, the Presence Chamber at Kensington Palace has reopened with a throne canopy sitting pride of place as you enter the room.
Queen Victoria's petticoat: underwear 'patched'
21 November 2017
In the last post we saw how Queen Victoria's petticoat was wet cleaned. Now the cream lawn cotton looks a lot brighter and the creasing has visibly reduced. There is still a bit of treatment left to do, as there are splits in the skirt, bodice and lace, and some of the buttonholes at the back fastening have frayed.
Queen Victoria's Petticoat takes a bath
02 November 2017
In our previous post we learned about the condition of Queen Victoria's petticoat. Today I want to focus on the yellow look of the cotton and the staining. The question: to clean or not to clean?
Queen Victoria's petticoat magnified: conservation begins
10 October 2017
When I heard I was going to lead the project to conserve this petticoat I got very excited as it is a rare example of royal underwear, with a very personal connection to Queen Victoria. As a new acquisition for our Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection I had to start from the beginning to really get to know the object.
Caroline of Ansbach: The Brainiest Princess
03 October 2017
George Augustus of Hanover and his wife, Caroline of Ansbach arrived in London in 1714, in the train of the new king, George I, George Augustus's father.
The Peasant's Revolt: The only time the Tower of London was breached
28 September 2017
At the Tower of London, William the Conqueror’s White Tower, and the huge curtain walls of Henry III and Edward I cast a shadow of impregnable royal strength over the City. In reality, the Tower’s fortunes as a defensive castle were somewhat mixed. It depended rather upon the loyalty and efficiency of its garrison, and the stocking of its weapon stores and food larders.