What is a Palace?
Current royal palaces
The Royal Pavilion, Brighton is a
former royal residence, built as a
seaside retreat for the Prince Regent
(later, King George IV). The Pavilion
was a discreet location for the
Prince to enjoy liaisons with Mrs
Fitzherbert, to whom his marriage was
illegal due to her being a Catholic.
Designed and built in stages and
by different hands in the early years
of the 19th century it is the work
of John Nash, done between 1815
and 1822, that we see today.
Photo: Ancient Art & Architecture
Collection Ltd
Buckingham Palace The official London residence of the Queen, Buckingham Palace has been a royal residence since 1837.
Clarence House Adjacent to St James's Palace, Clarence House has been a royal residence since 1830. It was the Queen Mother's official residence until her death in 2002 and is now the official London residence of the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.
Frogmore House Situated in the private Home Park, Windsor, Frogmore House has been used as a country residence by various monarchs since the 17th century, notably Queen Victoria, whose mausoleum stands in its grounds.
Holyroodhouse Palace The Queen's official residence in Edinburgh.
Kensington Palace The birthplace of Queen Victoria, Kensington Palace has been an official royal residence to various members of the royal family since 1689.
St James's Palace A royal residence from 1702 until 1837, St James's Palace is still home to several members of the royal family. Ambassadors are still accredited to the Court of St James and the palace is used for various official functions.
Sandringham House One of the private homes of monarchs since 1862, Sandringham House, in Norfolk, is regularly used by the Queen and other members of the royal family at Christmas through to February.
Windsor Castle The largest and oldest continuously occupied castle in the world, Windsor is one of the queen's official residences, where she spends weekends throughout the year.
Past royal palaces
Henry VIII's Nonsuch Palace was
begun in 1538. The greatest of Henry
VIII's building enterprises took nine
years to build and was completed at a
cost of at least £24,000. No
trace of the palace remains on its
site now, but remnants have been
excavated.
Photo: Ancient Art & Architecture
Collection Ltd
Bridewell Palace One of Henry VIII's palaces, Bridewell later became a poorhouse and prison. The Unilever building, constructed in 1931, stands on its site.
Brighton Pavilion This was the residence of the Prince Regent before he became George IV.
Hampton Court Palace A former royal palace, Hampton Court was given to the nation by Queen Victoria and has been open to the public ever since.
Kew Palace The smallest of the royal palaces, Kew Palace, in the Royal Botanic Gardens, was home to George during his bouts of 'madness' from 1801 to 1818.
Nonsuch Palace Built for Henry VIII, Nonsuch Palace was demolished in the 17th century and no trace remains on the site above ground today.
Osbourne House A former residence of Queen Victoria on the Isle of Wight.
Palace of Placentia Another of Henry VIII's palaces, the Palace of Placentia was demolished in the late 17th century and Greenwich Hospital was built on the site.
Richmond Palace A royal residence during the 14th-17th centuries, it was mostly demolished. Only the gatehouse and a few other remains have survived to the present day.
Tower of London Founded by William the Conqueror, the Tower has played host to various monarchs and others, many of them involuntary prisoners and those awaiting execution.
Palace of Westminster A royal residence from 1049 until 1530, it is now home to Parliament.
Palace of Whitehall A royal residence from 1530 until 1698, only the Banqueting House now remains. It was here that Charles I stepped out to be executed on 30 January 1649.