Insights and behind the scenes from our palaces
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.
The Revealing Tale of Queen Victoria's Early Biography
24 May 2024
In 1839, Queen Victoria's engagement to Prince Albert prompted one of the first biographies of the young monarch. But the book's release was a disaster.
Lifting the Royal Curtain
01 May 2024
Photographs of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert – now synonymous with the Victorian age – might appear restrained and unremarkable to modern eyes but behind their rigid poses lies a pioneering sentiment.
'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'.
A Short History of the Jewel House at the Tower of London
11 December 2023
Tom Drysdale, Archivist and Curator of Architectural Drawings at the Tower of London, explores the fascinating history of the world-famous Crown Jewels exhibition.
A Turkish Bath for Horses at Hampton Court
16 June 2022
With eyes on Royal Ascot in June, we wanted to share a lesser-known aspect of Hampton Court’s Equine Past. In the 1860s a Turkish bath was installed at Hampton Court Palace…for the horses! Buildings Curator Alexandra Stevenson explores this curious history.
Phillis Wheatley, the first published African American woman, visits the Tower
22 October 2021
Curator Charles Farris explores the life of Phillis Wheatley (c. 1753-1784) who visited the Tower in 1773.
HRP Handover: Zeinab Badawi on Sarah Forbes Bonetta and "contested history"
22 October 2020
This week, we’ve invited journalist and Historic Royal Palaces Trustee Zeinab Badawi to share her thoughts on the importance of welcoming diverse perspectives on our past, and the problem with the term ‘contested history’.
Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha: Monarchy's moderniser
26 August 2019
On the 200th birthday of Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Professor John R Davis argues that Albert's influence helped Queen Victoria rescue the British Monarchy.
Plant hunters: Victorian plants are brought to Kensington Palace
08 August 2019
At Kensington Palace we have selected just a few of our favourite discoveries from the Victorian period to go on display in 2019. Each plant has a story and can be accredited to a plant hunter who explored the world during this fascinating period of horticultural research and discovery.