Building of the Week: The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, Scotland

Entrance Facade
The Royal Collection © 2009 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Known as Holyroodhouse, The Palace of Holyroodhouse and Holyrood Palace, this majestic Edinburgh castle with its ruined abbey is the official residence of the Queen when she is in Scotland. Unofficially, she likes to stay at Balmoral while in Scotland, but that estate is her own private property.

The West Facade
The Royal Collection
© 2009 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Holyrood Palace, like many of the Royal residences, has grown and developed over the centuries. Legend states that the land was the spot where King David I found himself about to be attacked by a hart when the animal was distracted by a sign from God. Following that “miraculous” encounter, King David I, ordered that an abbey be built on the land. The monastery at Holyrood Abbery was founded in 1128.

The abbey was the site of many marriages and burials as well as coronations until the roof collapsed in 1768. The structure has remained as it is—un-restored—for two hundred fifty years. Though many have proposed rebuilding or restoring the abbey since the Eighteen Century, no plan has ever been accepted. And, so, the abbey remains ruined.

Holyrood Abbey
The Royal Collection © 2009 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

An Aerial View
The Royal Collection © 2009 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

In contrast to that, Holyrood Palace is quite well maintained though it, too, has been destroyed on several occasions. Three hundred years after the construction of the abbey, a small guesthouse was built nearby. Over the course of the next century, the house was expanded and became a popular vacation home for many in the Royal Family. It was a Royal residence in all ways except name. In 1498, King James IV ordered the construction of a new palace which would replace the adapted guesthouse. For three years, the palace was constructed. The result was an official Royal residence which truly befitted a king.

Bed Chamber of Mary, Queen of Scots
The Royal Collection © 2009 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 

Built around an enormous quadrangle, the new palace contained a chapel, a great hall and various Royal apartments. James V added to the palace, constructed the suite of rooms and the tower which would be occupied by Mary, Queen of Scots.

With the ascension of James VI to the throne in 1603, the palace fell out of use when the permanent Royal court was moved to London. In 1650, the palace was destroyed (some say accidentally) by Oliver Cromwell’s troops. Cromwell insisted that he would rebuild the palace, and he did. However, Cromwell’s additions were pulled down by King Charles II who erected the structure we see today.

The Queen's Gallery
The Royal Collection
© 2009 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 

Since then, Holyrood Palace has welcomed many different British monarchs and heads of state. Today, the Scottish branch of the Queen’s Gallery is located in Holyroodhouse and welcomes visitors from around the world.

To learn more about this historic Royal residence, visit the Official Web Site of the British Monarchy. 

The King's Closet
The Royal Collection © 2009 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

As it was in 1789.
The Royal Collection © 2009 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Painting of the Day: The Blue Velvet Closet at Carlton House, 1818

Carlton House:
The Blue Velvet Closet
Charles Wilde, 1818
Commissioned by King George IV
The Royal Collection

As we’ve learned previously, King George IV made redecorating Carlton House one of his favorite pet projects. He fretted over the designs of the house, making sure that his residence was properly befitting his station. We know that George IV had a penchant for French design. So, it’s no surprise that many of the motifs in the décor incorporated gilt fleur de lis.


Such is the case with “The Blue Velvet Closet.” Prior to 1818, this room actually was a small dressing room which adjoined an opulent bedchamber. George IV had the wall between the two rooms removed, moved the chimney piece to the farthest end of the room and created a large space to house his collection of Dutch art. As a backdrop for his cherished collection, he chose rich blue velvet adorned with a gold pattern of fleur de lis.

As was often the case with the Royal Family whenever a redecoration project was completed, they had the room recorded by painters who could ensure that the hard work of overhauling private suites would always be recognized. In this instance, Charles Wild was recruited for the job and did an excellent job showing the beauty of one of King George IV’s favorite rooms. 

Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Object of the Day, Museum Edition: Bonbonnière with a view of Balmoral Castle, 1907

 Bonbonnière of gold, enamel and Diamonds
Henrik Emanuel Wigström, 1907
Showing the "Balmoral Side"
Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Fabergé's brilliant workmaster Henrik Emanuel Wigström (1862-1923) created this bonbonnière of gold, enamel and rose-cut diamonds in 1907. With its lovely views of Balmoral and Windsor Castles, the wee candy box was destined to be a part of the Royal Collection, and, naturally, that’s where it ended up.

The bonbonnière was purchased by Sir Ernest Cassel from Fabergé's London branch, on November 4, 1907 for £81 5s. Sir Ernest presented the box to his friend Sir Philip Sassoon who held onto it for quite some time.

Now, it would be very easy to suggest that Queen Mary spied the box in Sassoon’s collection and suggested in her particular way that the object really should, since it does depict Balmoral and Windsor, belong in the Royal Collection. It would be easy to do so because it’s true. Sassoon’s records indicate that as early as 1908, the Princess of Wales (after 1910, Queen Mary) admired the object, noting that it was the first work by Wigström that she’d ever seen depicting one of the Royal residences. She kept at it for decades, I would guess though I have no proof of it. 

Nevertheless, we do know for certain that Sir Philip presented the bonbonnière to Queen Mary for her birthday on May 26, 1934. No doubt, Her Majesty was quite pleased. Queen Mary displayed the bonbonnière with great pride and marveled at its enameled views of Balmoral Castle on one side and Windsor Castle on the other as well as the edge of the box which is set with enameled roses and leaves interspersed with diamond-set crosses.

The Windsor Castle side
Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Mastery of Design: Bonbonnière with a view of Balmoral Castle, 1907

 Bonbonnière of gold, enamel and Diamonds
Henrik Emanuel Wigström, 1907
Showing the "Balmoral Side"
Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Fabergé's brilliant workmaster Henrik Emanuel Wigström (1862-1923) created this bonbonnière of gold, enamel and rose-cut diamonds in 1907. With its lovely views of Balmoral and Windsor Castles, the wee candy box was destined to be a part of the Royal Collection, and, naturally, that’s where it ended up.

The bonbonnière was purchased by Sir Ernest Cassel from Fabergé's London branch, on November 4, 1907 for £81 5s. Sir Ernest presented the box to his friend Sir Philip Sassoon who held onto it for quite some time.

Now, it would be very easy to suggest that Queen Mary spied the box in Sassoon’s collection and suggested in her particular way that the object really should, since it does depict Balmoral and Windsor, belong in the Royal Collection. It would be easy to do so because it’s true. Sassoon’s records indicate that as early as 1908, the Princess of Wales (after 1910, Queen Mary) admired the object, noting that it was the first work by Wigström that she’d ever seen depicting one of the Royal residences. She kept at it for decades, I would guess though I have no proof of it. 

Nevertheless, we do know for certain that Sir Philip presented the bonbonnière to Queen Mary for her birthday on May 26, 1934. No doubt, Her Majesty was quite pleased. Queen Mary displayed the bonbonnière with great pride and marveled at its enameled views of Balmoral Castle on one side and Windsor Castle on the other as well as the edge of the box which is set with enameled roses and leaves interspersed with diamond-set crosses.

The Windsor Castle side
Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Flashback: Building of the Week: Balmoral Castle, Scotland

This post first appeared on December 1, 2010.  I thought that trotting it out again would be germane to our theme today.

The Old Castle at Balmoral, 1853
The Royal Collection

The private summer residence of the Royal Family, the estate at Balmoral covers an area of over sixty-four thousand acres in the Royal Deeside in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The estate originally belonged to King Robert II who kept a hunting lodge on the property. In 1390, Sir William Drummond built the original castle on the site. The land would change hands three more times before the Nineteenth Century. In the 1840’s, the estate was owned by the Second Earl of Fife who leased the house and lands to wealthy patrons in search of a peaceful place to hunt and rejuvenate themselves. In 1848, the castle and lands were leased to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert who both fell in love with the beauty of the grounds and the elegant, but comfortable, castle. The queen and her husband petitioned for ownership of the property and achieved their goal in 1852.

The New Castle at Balmoral, 1856
The Royal Collection

In 1853, the corner stone for a new castle at Balmoral was set into the ground. Beneath the stone, Queen Victoria ordered that a letter in her own hand and coins of the realm (encased in glass) be set beneath the stone. While Victoria and Albert loved the original castle, they realized that it was too small and too old to comfortably house their growing family and rapidly enlarging staff. Prince Albert worked closely with the architects and designers of the new castle to ensure that it not only met their immediate needs, but also blended with the design of the original structure as well as the pristine landscape.

Balmoral, 1860
The Royal Collection

Balmoral has since remained in the Royal Family and, like Sandringham House, is privately owned as opposed to being a state residence. The estate has been the favorite spot of many a royal. Queen Elizabeth II and her family are particularly fond of the spot and spend as much time as they can there.

Over time, the size of the estate has grown incredibly. In 1878, Queen Victoria rescued a one thousand acre stretch of forest by purchasing it before it could be destroyed by timber merchants. The forest, known as Ballochbuie, was officially added to the estate at Balmoral. Later, an additional two thousand acres were added as a safe haven for red deer.

Queen Elizabeth II and her Children
at Balmoral, 1952

Balmoral is still a working estate, and while the staff has been considerably reduced lately, the Royal Family employs up to fifty full-time staffers throughout the year. Nearly one hundred thousand people visit Balmoral each year—wishing to tour the land and see its natural beauty first-hand. The tourist trade is quite a boon to the surrounding areas—producing upwards of four thousand jobs for local workers each year.

The site of many a historic occasion, Balmoral has seen its share of Royal triumph and tragedy. There, the coronation activities of King George IV were carried out. Queen Victoria Eugenie of Spain was born there. Most recently, it was at Balmoral where the Royal Family received word that Diana, Princess of Wales, had been killed in an automobile accident.

Princes William, Charles and Harry at Balmoral
1996
The Royal Collection

The Duke of Edinburgh, husband to Queen Elizabeth II, plays a large part in overseeing the workings of Balmoral and has taken a keen interest in preserving the trees and wildlife on the estate. As the land continues to be governed by its royal owners, we can be sure that it will continue to be one small stretch of untouched beauty for centuries to come.

Building of the Week: The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, Scotland

Entrance Facade
The Royal Collection © 2009 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Known as Holyroodhouse, The Palace of Holyroodhouse and Holyrood Palace, this majestic Edinburgh castle with its ruined abbey is the official residence of the Queen when she is in Scotland. Unofficially, she likes to stay at Balmoral while in Scotland, but that estate is her own private property.

The West Facade
The Royal Collection
© 2009 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Holyrood Palace, like many of the Royal residences, has grown and developed over the centuries. Legend states that the land was the spot where King David I found himself about to be attacked by a hart when the animal was distracted by a sign from God. Following that “miraculous” encounter, King David I, ordered that an abbey be built on the land. The monastery at Holyrood Abbery was founded in 1128.

The abbey was the site of many marriages and burials as well as coronations until the roof collapsed in 1768. The structure has remained as it is—un-restored—for two hundred fifty years. Though many have proposed rebuilding or restoring the abbey since the Eighteen Century, no plan has ever been accepted. And, so, the abbey remains ruined.

Holyrood Abbey
The Royal Collection © 2009 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

An Aerial View
The Royal Collection © 2009 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

In contrast to that, Holyrood Palace is quite well maintained though it, too, has been destroyed on several occasions. Three hundred years after the construction of the abbey, a small guesthouse was built nearby. Over the course of the next century, the house was expanded and became a popular vacation home for many in the Royal Family. It was a Royal residence in all ways except name. In 1498, King James IV ordered the construction of a new palace which would replace the adapted guesthouse. For three years, the palace was constructed. The result was an official Royal residence which truly befitted a king.

Bed Chamber of Mary, Queen of Scots
The Royal Collection © 2009 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Built around an enormous quadrangle, the new palace contained a chapel, a great hall and various Royal apartments. James V added to the palace, constructed the suite of rooms and the tower which would be occupied by Mary, Queen of Scots.

With the ascension of James VI to the throne in 1603, the palace fell out of use when the permanent Royal court was moved to London. In 1650, the palace was destroyed (some say accidentally) by Oliver Cromwell’s troops. Cromwell insisted that he would rebuild the palace, and he did. However, Cromwell’s additions were pulled down by King Charles II who erected the structure we see today.

The Queen's Gallery
The Royal Collection
© 2009 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Since then, Holyrood Palace has welcomed many different British monarchs and heads of state. Today, the Scottish branch of the Queen’s Gallery is located in Holyroodhouse and welcomes visitors from around the world.

To learn more about this historic Royal residence, visit the Official Web Site of the British Monarchy.

The King's Closet
The Royal Collection © 2009 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

As it was in 1789.
The Royal Collection © 2009 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II