Georgian Story

The Guard Chamber

This room was the gateway to the British court. It was guarded by the Yeoman of the Guard, who would have been dressed in scarlet Tudor-style uniforms. They were tasked with removing any potential threats to the royal family.

The legacy of the Yeoman of the Guard remains today – a fireplace features two sculptures of the Guard, which were probably carved by Grinling Gibbons, William III's master carver.

Public Dining Room

George I spent the summers of 1717 and 1718 at Hampton Court and dined in public twice a week before his courtiers, as part of royal tradition. King George hoped to outshine his son and daughter-in-law, who held their own court. Watching George I dine was so popular that a rail and benches were introduced to manage the crowd.

Drawing Room 

In the Drawing Room, courtiers would meet the royal family each week. On Sunday afternoons, courtiers waited in a circle for the King or Prince and Princess to speak to them, if they held royal favour. Gambling was also a popular pastime, and both courtiers and the royal family took part.

State Bedchamber

The grand bedchamber was completed in 1715 by Princess Caroline and Prince George. Here, they conducted a morning ceremony known as the levée, where they received courtiers as they dressed for the day. The State bed, made in 1715, would have been an essential part of the levée.

To keep back crowds, a rail was used: one survives on display, which was used by Charles II and George I.

You can also spot portraits of the royal family on the ceiling painted by James Thornhill. Only two years after they were completed, King George and his son had a massive argument, leading to the Prince and Princess’ exile from court.

Queen Caroline’s State bed is currently under conservation and is available to view in this room and the Queen’s Gallery. 

The Queen’s Private Apartments

Open during half term and holidays

In the Queen’s private apartments rooms, Caroline’s legacy can still be seen today.

In the Private Drawing Room, only the Queen’s most favoured guests could enter this space, where she hosted the era’s greatest scientists and intellectuals from all over the world.

Further into the apartments is the Queen’s Private Bedchamber where Caroline would have slept. Here, she observed a royal tradition known as ‘confinement’. This took place during the eighth month of her pregnancy, when she would have been attended by her ladies-in-waiting. Caroline had eight surviving children with her husband George.

The Queen also had her own private bathroom and a water closet, one of the few purpose-built toilets in the palace from this time.

Caroline also enjoyed meals with her husband in her private dining room. The table is set with ornate silver dishes, as it would have been when the royal couple dined here.

In the last room was the Queen’s Oratory or a private prayer room, where Caroline could pray or hear private sermons and services from the chaplain.