Visit Saint-James Palace is often lost among London's other famous royal monuments.
Today, let's stop off at a place that's sometimes overlooked on London tours.
Palais Saint-James: article summary
The Palais Saint James: at a glance
The palace was built by Henry VIII between 1531 and 1536. Its name derives from the leper hospital that once stood on its site in the 11th century.
Its original Tudor-style red-brick building and interior can still be seen today. However, a large part of the palace was destroyed by fire in 1809. As a result, most of the original palace was remodeled during the 19th century.
The palace served as Henry VIII's residence to "escape the formal life of the court". You can still see the initials "HA" decorated on some of the palace's Tudor fireplaces.
However, many sad events also took place inside the palace, such as the death of two of Henry VIII's children, including his illegitimate son Henry Fitzroy, who lived in the palace until 1536.
A history directly linked to the royal family
Mary I and Elizabeth I often spent the night at St James's Palace. Charles I spent his last night inside the palace before his execution.
Charles II restored the palace at around the same time as he designed nearby St. James Park. During this period, it became the monarch's principal residence.
St James's Palace was also an important venue for many events linked to the monarch, such as Victoria's wedding to Prince Albert in 1840.
Charles Iᵉʳ took communion on the morning of his execution inside the Royal Chapel, and William and Mary as well as George III and Queen Charlotte, Victoria and Albert and George V and Queen Mary all married here.
The palace dwellers today
Today, the Royal Court is housed inside the palace, and Princess Beatrice of York, Princess Eugene of York and Princess Alexandra of Alexandria are all members of the Royal Court. have taken up residence at the Palais Saint-James.
The palace is also used for official receptions, such as visits by heads of state or royal charities.
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall live at Clarence House, which is also attached to the Palais Saint-James.
Palais Saint James: things to see
Inside the palace, you'll find four courtyards known as :
- Ambassador Court
- Engine Court
- Friary Court
- Colour Court
There is also a four-storey guardhouse with two crenellated octagonal towers and a central clock.
The clock was added later in 1731 and was decorated with the initials "HA" for Henry VIII and his second wife Anne Boleyn.
You can also still see Henry VIII's "HR" at the Tudor gatehouse on the south side of St James's Street, which is located close to the original pedestrian crossings leading to Color Court.
A huge complex of royal buildings
The palace is also part of a "sprawling complex" of different buildings housing judicial offices and official apartments.
These include :
- York House
- Lancaster House
- Clarence House
See the Changing of the Guard from Saint James Palace
To obtain a good vantage point for changing the guard, avoid the entire Buckingham Palace and try to get as close as possible to Friary Court.
This way, you can avoid the crowd and stand three meters away from the guards as soon as the group begins to march past.
How do I get there?
To get there, you can borrow :
- Visit metrothe nearest station is Green Park
- Visit train thanks to Charing Cross and Victoria stations
- Visit bus by taking lines 9 and N9
How to visit Saint-James Palace
Unfortunately, the palace is closed to the public and access can only be obtained for official purposes or by invitation to special events.
However, you can still visit the Royal Chapel, an active place of worship.
Visitors can also see the guards of the Household Cavalry at St. James's Palace, which are inspected by the Captain of the Queen's Guard at 11am.
The changing of the guard also departs from Palais Saint-James every day at 11 a.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. on Sundays, and leads to the shopping center to the gates of Buckingham Palace.
What are the opening hours?
Services are held at the Chapelle Royale every Sunday at 8:30 and 11:15 a.m. all year round, except August and September.
The chapel may be closed at any time of year for scheduled events or royal celebrations.
Saint James's Palace is a rarely visited place. Yet it's a real gem in the heart of London. If you're planning a visit, I'd recommend a detour, you'll be pleasantly surprised!
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