London’s Royal Palaces

How many royal palaces does one family need in London? We only ask because as well as the several surviving today, there have been a number of other stately homes here over the years, of which only remnants can now be seen. Here’s our guide to the top 5, both currently in use and long-gone:

Whitehall Palace: Before Buckingham Palace, Whitehall was the main resident of the monarch in London. It first became a royal residence when Henry VIII confiscated it off the disgraced Cardinal Wolsey. At its height it was the largest palace in Europe with over 1,500 rooms. The palace was the scene of Charles I’s execution, and his son’s more natural death by stroke. Almost completely destroyed by fire in 1698, today only the Inigo Jones-designed Banqueting House, scene of the UK’s only regicide, remains.

Palace of Placentia: This royal palace was situated in Greenwich, on the site where the Royal Naval College now stands. Taken over by the crown in 1447, it became one of the chief royal residences and was the birthplace of Henry VIII, and his daughters Mary and Elizabeth. The palace’s decline began during the Civil War, when it became a prison camp, and later a biscuit factory. Charles II tried, and failed, to bring the palace back to life and it was eventually demolished. All that remains today is Inigo Jones’s The Queen’s House. Seems that if you want any part of a palace to survive – get Jonesy to build it!

Palace of Westminster: Today more commonly known as the Houses of Parliament, the current Palace is its third incarnation. The first was the monarch’s main London residence until it burnt down in 1512. Following this the monarchy moved to the nearby Whitehall Palace, which also later burnt down. The equally careless Parliament took over at Westminster and managed to burn down the second palace in 1834. This led to the building of a third palace, which still stands today. As bad things happen in threes, hopefully this one is safe from fire after the disasters of previous incarnations and Whitehall!

Buckingham Palace: This one still survives and is the current home of the monarch. It’s in this list because of a great story about William IV, who detested the building so much he tried conning Parliament to get out of living there! When the second Palace of Westminster burnt down, Buckingham Palace was just being redesigned for the monarchy to live there full-time. Seeing his way out, William offered the palace to Parliament. Turns out Parliament didn’t rate it much either, and preferred Charles Barry’s new-build Gothic masterpiece. In the event, William died before the palace was finished, and his niece Victoria became the first monarch to live there full time.

Eltham Palace: Eltham became a royal residence under Edward II and remained so for around 200 years, before slipping into decay. In the 1920s it was purchased by the Coultards, who built an art-deco house above the ruins of the once-great palace, but managed to retain the amazing Tudor banqueting hall which once welcomed Henry VIII. The contrast is breathtaking and creates a palace which is a perfect time capsule of two very different periods.
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