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LGBT Royal Histories

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Queer histories in our palaces

The Crown Jewels

The history of the Crown Jewels, including the Imperial State Crown - a priceless collection used to crown the kings and queens of England.

The rise and fall of Robert Carr, Earl of Somerset

Historian Gareth Russell picks up the tale of a scandal that no one had foreseen when the inoffensive Robert Carr arrived at James VI's court.

The execution of Charles I

Killing of a 'treasonous' King

Queen Anne

A surprisingly successful monarch, despite ill health and tragedy

The story of Kensington Palace

An elegant retreat for Britain's royal family

• Things to see

Hampton Court Gardens

Take time to explore and relax in these world-renowned gardens and find our free entry Garden Open Days dates.

• Open
• In line with palace opening hours
• Hampton Court Palace
• Included in palace admission (Members go free)

• Things to see

The Palace Gardens

Walk in the footsteps of royalty in the beautiful Kensington Palace gardens.

• Open

• 10:00 - 18:00. Last entry 17:45.
• Kensington Palace
• Free

• Things to see

William III's apartments

Enjoy the beautiful State Apartments and private rooms of William III at Hampton Court Palace as part of your visit.

• Open
• In line with palace opening hours
• Hampton Court Palace
• Included in palace admission (Members go free)

• Things to see

Great Watching Chamber

Discover Henry VIII’s State Apartments and the battle for power at the Tudor court in the Great Watching Chamber.

• Open
• In line with palace opening hours
• Hampton Court Palace
• Included in palace admission (Members go free)

• Things to see

Fountain Court

Designed by Christopher Wren, explore the elegant baroque architecture of Fountain Court.

• Open
• In line with palace hours
• Hampton Court Palace
• Included in palace admission (Members go free)

• Things to see

Kitchen Garden

Experience the recreated Kitchen Garden, which would have fed the Georgian royals and now supplies Henry VIII's Kitchens.

• Open
• In line with palace opening hours
• Hampton Court Palace
• Included in palace admission (Members go free)

The rise and fall of Robert Carr, Earl of Somerset

Historian Gareth Russell picks up the tale of a scandal that no one had foreseen when the inoffensive Robert Carr arrived at James VI's court.

The death and succession of Elizabeth I

Elizabeth I's death marked the accession of James VI/I to her throne and the emergence of the Stuart dynasty within England. But this was certainly not a foregone conclusion at the time.

George Villiers, First Duke of Buckingham

In the ruthless world of the Stuart court, royal favour was everything. No one knew this better than George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, whose rise to power was built on the love and patronage of James I.

Searching for the Young Black Man in the Portrait of William III, Part 1

A young Black man dressed in blue and gold holding a helmet stands beside William III in a portrait that is a focal point of our exhibition: Untold Lives: A Palace at Work. Who was he? Where did he live and when? Why is he in the painting with William III? And how can historians unravel the mystery surrounding him?

Searching for the Young Black Man in the Portrait of William III, Part 2

The next step in our search was to look at sources and pictures on William III's life before he arrived in England, and his first court, to attempt to discover more about this young man, and why he might have been painted with the King.

Why we need to stop looking for sex: letters and LGBT+ royal history

'How do you know?' I've been asked this a lot recently when I've been talking about LGBT+ royal history. I'm glad to be asked it, because it gets to the heart of studying LGBT+ identities in the past. In this post, I'd like to talk about the evidence and assumptions, which tell us a lot about sexuality in the past, and today.