Despite an endless run of negative press, the royal family has enjoyed a plethora of celebrations in recent months.
From milestone birthdays, including William and Kate’s 40ths and the Duchess of Cornwall’s 75th, to the 70th anniversary of the Queen’s accession and a slew of major national events, 2022 has delivered ample good cheer.
In the last 10 weeks alone, Britons have witnessed the return of Royal Ascot, the Wimbledon Championships, the Commonwealth Games, the Lionesses’ historic Euro 2022 win and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. In each instance, members of the royal family have enthusiastically slowed their support.
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Behind the scenes, however, it’s been a year filled with poignant commemorations. The first anniversary of Prince Philip’s death, the 70th anniversary of King George VI’s loss, the 20th anniversary of the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret’s deaths and the upcoming 25th anniversary of Diana, Princess of Wales’s death, have each provided the Queen a period of quiet reflection.
Similarly, the 30th anniversary of her “Annus horribilis” you have likely given her pause for thought. Culminating in the divorce of one child and the separation of two others, an unprecedented level of public scrutiny and Andrew Morton’s explosive tell-all book, Diana: Her True Story1992 was hardly a breeze.
But, it was the fire at Windsor Castle, the oldest inhabited castle in the world, which ultimately gave way to one of the UK’s greatest tourist attractions proving that “when life gives you lemons” even the Queen makes lemonade.
Arguably an unmitigated disaster, 1992 was a right royal slog, but as it drew to a close, the fire represented yet another paralyzing setback for the royals. Beginning in the Queen’s Private Chapel on November 20, it took firefighters from across London and the Home Counties close to 15 hours to put out.
Prince Philip later told royal biographer Robert Hardman that “behind the curtains, which were obviously closed, were spotlights that lit up the altar and ceiling.” After getting hot, the lights set fire to the curtains and “the flames went up.”
Due to ongoing construction, most of the furniture and artwork housed in the castle had been placed in storage, but still the fire caused extensive damage to over 100 rooms. Remarkably, Sir William Beechey’s portrait of George III and The Prince of Wales Reviewing Troops was the only painting to not survive.
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Helping with the rescue efforts, Prince Andrew gave an impromptu interview in which he described his mother as “shocked and devastated.” Images of the downcast monarch clad in a raincoat and headscarf watching the blaze unfold led to a wave of public sympathy, but it was short-lived.
As the last of the embers were extinguished, talk inevitably turned to who would pay for the restoration. Considering the castle was uninsured, Heritage Secretary Peter Brooke said the Government would foot the estimated £40 million (approx. $70 million) bill.
It was a generous offer, but following months of tabloid reports detailing sordid revelations, marital strife and perceived royal excess, Brooke had misjudged the mood of the nation. The outcry was immediate and the press eagerly fanned the flames of disgust.
In response to the backlash, Lord Airlie, the Lord Chamberlain, announced that the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace would be opened to the paying public for two months of the year while the Queen and Prince Philip summered at Balmoral. Additionally, he said Windsor Castle would begin charging for admission to the grounds.
Part of a five-year experimental plan designed to raise the funds necessary to complete the rebuilding, it was a bold move, but royal aides were praised for thinking outside the box and employing a cost-effective approach.
Minus start-up expenses, every penny was to go directly towards restoring the castle and it was widely hoped the venture would account for 70 per cent of the total sum.
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Much to the Royal Household’s delight, the scheme was a hit. Having secured the required capital, the repairs, completed five years later in November 1997, came in £3 million under budget.
From State Banquets and Garden Parties to lunches, audiences, Investitures and receptions, upwards of 50,000 people are asked to Buckingham Palace each year and it’s often the focal point for events of national importance. During the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012, 10,000 lucky ballot winners were invited to attend a special picnic in the Palace’s gardens.
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Nonetheless, making it accessible to ticket holders – an idea inspired by the Queen and endorsed by Prince Philip – was a royal first.
Declared a “revolutionary step,” by the media, it opened on August 7, 1993 and the inaugural season was a resounding success. The annual exhibition continues to be a huge draw and next summer it’ll mark the 30th anniversary of its launch. Not bad for a “five-year experimental plan.”
Though some insist on questioning the Royal Family’s appeal, Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle welcome over 1.4 million visitors per year. In turn, they generate £22 million (approx. $38 million) in admission fees and retail sales combined.
Once costs have been met, the remaining funds support the work of the Royal Collection. Reported to contain more than one million items, it is one of the largest private art collections in the world. Held in trust for the nation, it receives no financial help from the government.
Given Buckingham Palace was never built to be a tourist attraction, myriad logistical issues had to be resolved prior to its opening. Tasked with determining which parts of the Palace should be on public view and how best to drive foot traffic to avoid infringing on the private apartments, organizers also had to consider where to put the gift shop and the loos. Likewise, there was ticketing, security and bag checks to arrange as well as an army of wardens to hire.
Nineteen of the Palace’s State Rooms, including the throne room and the ballroom, were eventually selected, as was the picture gallery featuring priceless works of art.
Having queued for hours, Merv Dunn, a retired builder from New Zealand, was among the first visitors inside. Dressed for the occasion in a top hat and tails, he was thrilled by the experience. “My eyes were boggling,” he said. “It was incredible, it was wonderful, absolutely spectacular splendor and regal flamboyancy.”
In the decades since, the Ball Supper Room has been added to the line-up, where a number of special exhibitions dedicated to royal life have been staged.
This year, in honor of the Queen’s historic Platinum Jubilee, the Royal Collection Trust has curated a dazzling display to mark the Queen’s accession. Among the items on view are the first official portraits taken of the Queen in 1952. Captured just 20 days after her father’s death by leading portrait photographer Dorothy Wilding, they formed the basis of the Queen’s image of her on coinage, banknotes and stamps around the world.
The Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara, a wedding gift to Princess Victoria Mary of Teck, later Queen Mary, upon her marriage to the future King George V is also on display as is the diamond tiara she gave to her granddaughter, Princess Elizabeth, as a wedding present in November 1947.
It’s the first time Wilding’s original hand-finished prints have been shown in conjunction with the jewels worn by the Queen in each of her pictures. They’ll be available to see until October 2, as will the portraits commissioned by the Queen for her Silver, Golden, Diamond and Platinum Jubilees.
Buckingham Palace is a long haul from Australia, but should your travels ever take you to London, it is well worth a visit. Once you’ve perused the Vermeers and imagined yourself waving to the crowds from the famed balcony, I recommend you finish your tour in the Palace’s Garden Café. Located on the West Terrace with a glorious view of the lawn, you can rest your weary feet and enjoy a nice tall glass of ice-cold lemonade.
Queen watches the biggest party the UK has ever seen