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Historic Royal Palaces blog

Insights and behind the scenes from our palaces

Embracing two worlds: Conserving Bi-cultural heritage with a rare Japanese court suit

14 March 2025

Textile Conservator Kaori Motaung shares her experience conserving a rare Japanese court suit from the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection.

The Death of Elizabeth of York at the Tower of London

05 July 2024

Tracy Borman delves into the story behind the death of the original Tudor Queen, within the walls of this royal fortress.

Imagining Anne Boleyn's Coronation in 1533

10 May 2024

Curator of Historic Buildings, Alden Gregory imagines the ambitious festivities that Henry VIII commissioned to welcome Anne Boleyn as his second Queen Consort.

'Washing the Lions': A Famous April Fools Hoax at the Tower of London

01 April 2024

The Tower of London is home to Britain’s earliest recorded April Fool’s prank – the so-called 'Annual Ceremony of Washing the Lions'.

Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection in the Jewel House

26 June 2023

Curator Charles Farris introduces some of the amazing ceremonial dress now on display in the Jewel House exhibition.

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.

Elizabeth I’s coronation procession from the Tower of London

17 November 2022

Curator Charles Farris recalls Elizabeth’s dramatic procession from the Tower of London to Westminster the day before her coronation.

The New Constable of the Tower of London

04 October 2022

General Sir Gordon Messenger became the 161st Constable of the Tower of London in August 2022, succeeding General The Lord Nicholas Houghton. The role of the Constable is the most senior appointment at the Tower of London and dates back to the time of William the Conqueror and the Norman Conquest.

The Commonwealth Games and Henry VIII's forgotten cricketing disaster

01 August 2022

Curator Brett Dolman looks briefly into the history of the Commonwealth Games and imagines Henry VIII’s forgotten cricketing disaster at Hampton Court.

Frederick Wright Or Kathleen Woodhouse: A First World War Soldier Who Wished To Live As A Woman

15 February 2022

February is LGBT+ History Month in the UK, which aims to increase the visibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT+) people through the exploration of their history and stories. Collections Curator Matthew Story explores one such story.