Insights and behind the scenes from our palaces
Up close with the finials: Secrets of a State Bed
13 September 2019
Out of the 41 textile components of the state bed, the first to be conserved were the finials. Rosie Chamberlin and Charlotte Gamper, two of our textile conservation team, worked together to conserve the four urn-shaped ornamental features that sit at the corners of the bed tester.
Renewable energy meets conservation: the Hydro House at Hillsborough
19 August 2019
To the very north of the park at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, for the adventurous visitor prepared to explore the Perimeter Walk, is the Hydro House. Historic Royal Palaces restored and re-commissioned the Hydro House in 2017 and it now produces enough electricity to continuously power 100 mobile phones!
Queen Caroline's bed undergoes conservation: Secrets of a state bed
15 August 2019
As supervisor of the furnishing conservation team at Historic Royal Palaces, I lead a team of four conservators over five years to conserve one of our tallest beds, Queen Caroline's state bed. The bed is part of the Royal Collection, and can usually be found on display at Hampton Court Palace.
18th-century satire: displaying political cartoons at Kew Palace
10 June 2019
In the early 18th century there was in Britain an amazing freedom of the press. More newspapers were being printed than ever before. Cartoons and caricatures could be cheaply produced and easily distributed, and this led to a golden age of political satire.
Unearthing two early Tudor buildings at Hampton Court Palace
15 March 2019
In 2017, two early Tudor buildings were unexpectedly discovered in a small trench excavated during conservation works on a set of historic railings. The bricks used were dated to Cardinal Wolsey's building phase, (1515-1529), or possibly even slightly earlier.
Restoring Hillsborough's Courthouse Clock
18 January 2019
An exciting conservation project has been undertaken in Hillsborough. The courthouse clock - which stopped over 30 years ago - has been revived and is chiming once again. Our conservator David Orr was thrilled to discover the history of this important horological piece...
Conserving Queen Victoria's Jacket
21 December 2018
Behind the scenes with Textile Conservator Beatrice Farmer as she prepares a beautiful pink embroidered jacket, once owned by Queen Victoria, for display.
A Head in the Bloody Tower
04 December 2018
When I started my job at the Tower of London I fully expected to encounter extraordinary things every day. And true to form I was only onto my second week when a fragment of a wall painting on the upper floor of the Bloody Tower was revealed.
Conserving a Victorian Child's Dress Worn for a Wedding
18 May 2018
A new addition to our Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection, this velvet and silk child’s dress was worn to celebrate the wedding of the future Edward VII; Prince Albert Edward, the eldest son of Queen Victoria and Princess Alexandra of Denmark on 10 March 1863.