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.
Objects Unwrapped: Tudor Leather Mache Putto from Hampton Court
07 December 2015
Putti are representations of small male children often with wings, found in religious and secular artwork. They were a popular form of decoration during the Renaissance.
How we acquired The Bristowe Hat
20 January 2015
The Bristowe Hat is a very rare example of Tudor or very early Stuart fashion. It first appeared on my desk in the form of an email – 'Did we want it?' I was certainly very intrigued...
Excavations at Hampton Court Palace
04 December 2014
The Magic Garden Project at Hampton Court Palace has seen hundreds of trenches excavated to place electrical cables, drainage and foundations for the new garden.
Glorious Georgian Bathing: Queen Caroline's bath tub
23 September 2014
Hot water, soap, and shampoo; for most of us this is the start of our day. A shower or bath each morning is a habitual part of modern life that the majority of us couldn't go without.
Drilling for Dates
10 June 2014
People think I’m nuts because I love roofs. But not only are they among the best preserved parts of our palaces, they also hold secrets within them, and can reveal information which isn’t contained in any documents. The latest roof to receive treatment is the Great Watching Chamber. It is one of our most important Tudor roofs.
Don't forget about the Georgian Frederick Louis, Prince of Wales
07 May 2014
If you know anything about Frederick Louis, Prince of Wales, it will probably be the story of the 'Midnight Flit' from Hampton Court Palace. When his wife Augusta was in the throes of labour with their first child, Frederick bundled her into a carriage in the middle of the night.
Making Your Mark
10 December 2013
During recent conservation work in the Cumberland Suite at Hampton Court Palace, we made an interesting discovery. This drawing (above) was found scratched into a plaster wall that has been covered with wooden panelling for the past 300 years.