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Ever wondered what the inside of Buckingham Palace looks like?
Me too. So I made my way past the gates, past the queen's guards and, eventually, into the Throne Room...
It's every bit as regal as I imagined it would be, with a rich, red carpet spanning the entire room, gold trimmings shining under the light of the chandeliers and a full-length portrait of Her Majesty, the Queen, and her corgis. I make my way to two 17th century throne chairs at the end of scarlet carpet. Their backs are embroidered with the cyphers 'EIIR' and 'P' for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. I can't believe it – I'm in the 775-room official residence of the queen! Well, sort of.
With the country under lockdown – and even the queen huddled up in Windsor Castle for the time being – we're all self-isolating. Luckily, a virtual tour from the comfort of your home is possible with the royal household's website. So we thought we'd walk you through three of the royal residences of the queen.
Come on a tour with us and see where the queen sleeps, where Harry and Meghan had their wedding reception, and Her Majesty spends her summers!
BUCKINGHAM PALACE
Buckingham Palace is both the queen's residence and where many royal engagements and administrative duties of the royal family takes place.
It's a tourist attraction for many in the UK – you may only recognise it for the balcony where the annual Trooping the Colour takes place though, and Kate and William shared their first kiss after saying I do.
Click here and see the White Drawing Room, the Throne Room and the Blue Drawing Room.
(FIRST KISS: Kate Middleton married Prince William on 29 April 2011 at shared their first kiss as husband and wife on the balcony at Buckingham Palace. Photo: Getty Images.)
WINDSOR CASTLE
The queen is currently camping out at Windsor Castle, which she usually visits most weekends. But, let's be honest, it's more like glamping for the queen in the largest occupied castle in the world!
Click here and see a traditional State Banquet in St George's Hall – which is probably what Harry and Meghan's wedding reception would've looked like – and explore the Waterloo Chamber and the Crimson Drawing Room.
(WINDSOR WEDDING: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got married at St. George's Chapel before having their reception at St. George's Hall. Photo: Getty Images.)
THE PALACE OF HOLYROODHOUSE
When the queen travels to Scotland at the beginning of each summer, she spends much of her time at Holyroodhouse – her official residence in the country.
Though it's used today to host garden parties, it's got a rather long history.
For one, it was founded as a monastery in 1128 before being rebuilt as a palace by James IV for his wife, Margaret Tudor – the sister of Henry VIII – in 1501. Later in the 16th century, Mary, Queen of Scots married two husbands in Holyroodhouse, but it was her private secretary, David Rizzio, who was later found dead in the palace. He was stabbed by a gang, but rumour has it it was her husband, Lord Darnley, who ordered the hit.
Yikes.
Anyway.
Click here and escape into that creepy castle here, with a virtual tour of the Grand Stair, the Morning Drawing Room and the Royal Dining Room.
(SUMMER HOME: The queen spends a week at the Palace Of Holyroodhouse In Edinburgh every year. Photo: Getty Images.)
