Just a short walk from the famous Buckingham Palace is the magnificent St James’s Palace. This spectacular working royal palace is used today by the Royal Family for ceremonial occasions and entertaining, but it has also been the setting for some of the most important events in royal history.
Find out more about this royal residence with these surprising facts.
1. The site was first established as a hospital.
The Hospital of St James was a Leper hospital founded in the twelfth century. There were several of these hospitals surrounding London at the time, chosen carefully for what was then an isolated location.
2. The Palace was built by Henry VIII.
The Palace was built between 1531 and 1536 by Henry VIII on the site of the Hospital. Much of the original red-brick building still survives today including the Chapel Royal, the gatehouse, some turrets and two surviving Tudor rooms in the State apartments.
3. The King’s accession to the throne was announced here.
His Majesty King Charles III was proclaimed King at St James’s Palace. The Garter King of Arms announces the accession of a new king or queen from a balcony, known as the Proclamation Gallery. In 1952 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was also proclaimed here.
4. Queen Victoria was married at the Palace.
Queen Victoria married Prince Albert in The Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace in 1840. The Chapel Royal was originally built by Henry VIII for his short-lived marriage with Anne of Cleves in 1540.
5. St James’s Palace was the home of the British monarch.
When Whitehall Palace was destroyed by a fire in 1698, St James’s Palace became the official home of the monarch until Queen Victoria moved into Buckingham Palace in 1837.
6. A fire started by a servant’s candle destroyed the Palace.
In 1809 a quarter of the Palace was destroyed by fire, believed to have been started by a candle in a servant’s bedroom. The State rooms were restored back to their former glory by 1813.
7. Prince Louis was christened at the Palace.
Many royal christenings have taken place at The Chapel Royal including most recently the christening of Prince Louis in 2018. It was also the location of Charles II baptism.
8. The Palace was damaged during the Second World War.
In 1944 bombs fell on Pall Mall causing extensive damage to the surrounding area. Reportedly though the clock in the Great Gatehouse was still striking even though the hands and face were now missing.
