Architecture – Royal Residences

Sparked by the release of the second season of The Crown on Netflix, this week, I feature her Majesties residences. If you haven’t watched The Crown, do consider watching it – it’s fabulous. At $130 million it is the most expensive TV series ever! With widescreen televisions you cant create a cardboard Buckingham Palace and get away with it and so… Alas, I binge watched it over the weekend and now must wait a year for season 3. Sigh! The Queen has reportedly watched it. Claire Foy and the series are nominated for a Golden Globe. Have you been watching The Crown? What do you think?

Sometimes the topic comes up of could you live like this. And my answer is always: Yes! It’s life in a fishbowl perhaps, but it’s a very nicely appointed fishbowl. And oh yes there are several bowls and they are surrounded by acres of walled garden. I have lived inside a walled property – its very nice. When I first set eyes on walled properties in Los Angeles – I thought how sad. But then in Haiti and in Cameroon I did live within a walled property. Turns out its very nice. When you arrive home, the gate is opened, you drive in and leave the hustle and bustle of the city outside. It also means that when in your garden you are in your own private space.

These are the royal residences used or owned by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. There are other royal residences but, well, another day.


Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire Scotland has been a royal residence since 1852 since being purchased privately by Prince Albert, and Queen Victoria. It was designed by William Smith of Aberdeen with modifications by Prince Albert. Its style is Scots Baronial architecture. I remember reading that Prince Albert decorated the Castle with oh so many tartans – its seems to have evolved. Some family pics here.

Buckingham Palace is the London residence and administrative headquarter of the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom. It is located in the City of Westminster in London. At the start, in 1703 there was a townhouse! It was enlarged principally by John Nash and Edward Blore in the 19th century. It has been the official residence since Queen Victoria. Again in one documentary or another I do remember Prince Albert complaining of the state of the palace and the complexity of getting anything done as one department put logs in the fireplace and another would start the fire also one department cleaned the windows on the outside and another on the inside. More pics here. And CNN Highlights from the Buckingham Palace tour here.

Craigowan Lodge is located approximately one mile from Balmoral Castle, it was used by Charles and Diana. The Queen occasionaly uses it while the main house is being prepared for an extended visit. It is also used as a guest house.

Hillsborough Castle in Ireland is the official government residence. It is also the official residence of the Queen when she is in Ireland. Seems more built to human scale. Could be nice!

Holyroodwhouse or Holyrood Palace is the official residence of the Queen in Scotland. It has served as royal residence since the 16th century. It is the setting of state functions and official entertaining. More pics here.

Sandringham House in Sandringham, Norfold, England is the private home of Queen Elizabeth II. It is built in the style of frenetic Jacobean. If you watch the Crown you will see that it was the site of the Queen's first televised Christmas message. Looks like a suitable retreat!

Windsor Castle is a royal residence in the English county of Bershire. It is the venue for hosting state visits and is the preferred weekend home of Elizabeth II. I think it's my favourite! More pics here.