Insights and behind the scenes from our palaces
The Peasant's Revolt, 1381: The only time the Tower of London was breached
28 September 2017
In June 1381, the Tower of London fell, not to an army of knights, archers and engineers, but to a force of lower-class rebels. The so-called 'Peasant’s Revolt' was sparked by a new tax - the third in four years - that took no account of individual wealth.
Queen Anne's Throne Canopy Conservation: Almost There!
27 September 2017
These past few months we've been busy finishing the Queen Anne throne canopy conservation; tying together all the loose ends ready for its display at Kensington Palace.
Queen Victoria's petticoat: a rare survivor from her early wardrobe
19 September 2017
This magnificent petticoat is a recent acquisition to the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection and requires conservation for both storage and display purposes.
A Royal History of Princesses and Music
17 July 2017
When Caroline of Ansbach moved with the Hanoverian court to London in 1714, Britain saw the start of a new era of princess-led musical connoisseurship.
Kew the Music: George III and Queen Charlotte's Instruments
15 June 2017
The reign of George III and Queen Charlotte saw a flourishing of arts and culture in Britain. The country's prospering cultural scene was undoubtedly encouraged by the royal couple's personal love of the arts.
Beating the Bounds: A centuries-old tradition
19 May 2017
On the evening of Ascension Day, a group from every parish and various governing bodies in England used to walk around the parameters of their land. Each boundary post would be beaten to mark it out in the minds of the younger generations and the clergy would pray for the land along the way. This tradition was known as Beating the Bounds.
Washing Historic Tapestries: Making sure our colours don't run...
12 May 2017
Have you ever washed something and realised too late that the dye wasn't fast? Imagine how that would feel if the object you were washing was over 400 years old. So it's pretty brave to wash a historic tapestry don't you think?
Grand Duchess Xenia Romanov: A royal Russian resident at Hampton Court Palace
06 April 2017
On 6 April 1917, in the midst of violence and unrest, Grand Duchess Xenia Romanov left St Petersburg on a train to the Crimea, never to return again. Xenia's journey into exile eventually brought her to Hampton Court Palace.
Happy New Year! Queen Anne's Throne Canopy Conservation
10 January 2017
Happy New Year and welcome back! For our first post of 2017 we would like to take you behind the scenes and give you an insight into the trial installation we did at Hampton Court Palace in November 2016.