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This year, to commemorate the 300th anniversary of King George I’s
ascension to the throne in 1714, Historic Royal Palaces across the
country are opening their doors to the public to celebrate the
event, with fascinating pieces of royal history that have never
been seen before.
Having been born and raised in Hanover, George I ascended to the
British throne in 1714 upon the passing of Queen Anne. At Hampton
Court Palace, where George I lived after arriving in England,
visitors will have a chance to view the magnificent State
Apartments and Private Apartments of The Queen, and meet The King’s
courtiers, who tell fascinating tales about life during the early
Georgian Era, including the rivalry between The King and his son,
the future King George II, which forced them to choose sides.
It so happens that, while living in Hanover, George I married
Sophia Dorothea, but scandal soon broke when she had an affair.
Upon hearing the news, George I’s father had the lover murdered,
and his daughter-in-law imprisoned in a German castle. She never
lived at Hampton Court Palace as a result, and her son, George II
was banned from ever seeing his mother again… This was the point of
contention between father and son that caused lifelong in-fighting
at court.
Furthermore, George I did not make the move to Great Britain alone:
He brought along two mystery women whom courtiers soon nicknamed
‘The Elephant and the Maypole’, the first being his his
illegitimate half sister, and the other, his lifelong mistress,
Melusine von der Schulenburg.
Also open to the public this year
are the newly discovered Royal Chocolate Kitchens, where The King’s
personal chocolatier, Thomas Tosier, would prepare a special
chocolate drink for the Royal Family.
Not surprisingly, George II, preferred to stay away at Kensington
Palace, and was the last reigning monarch to reside there. On
display at the spectacular King’s State Apartments are relics from
the court of King George II and his wife, Queen Caroline. The
exhibition offers viewers an insight into the fashions, manners,
cultures and British style during the reign of George II, as well
as some court gossip about The Queen and her rival Henrietta
Howard, a ‘woman of the bedchamber’ who was also The King’s
mistress.
The third Hanoverian ruler, unlike his ancestors, spent his life at
Kew Palace. Built in 1631, the Palace initially belonged to the
secretary of George II before his son, Frederick, Prince of Wales,
leased it to live in along with his family. The future King George
III spent much of his childhood at Kew Palace, where he had his own
science lab, and could listen to renowned musicians as they
composed for his father, who played the cello. The young Prince was
passionate about the arts, science and music, and artifacts
reflecting his interests and inspiration are still around today.
These are to be made available to the public in the Library.
While Kew Palace is most commonly associated with the madness of
George III, it was also the place where he spent time with his
family and entertained guests. Reopening to the public on March
29th, the Royal Kitchens will conduct demonstrations to give royal
enthusiasts an idea about the food that was prepared for, and
served to, kings. There will also be a Georgian garden party on the
16th and 17th of August, complete with food, music and costumes
from the 18th century.
Additionally, the lives of the early Georgians are showcased in a
display of the arts and culture from the era, at the Queen’s
Gallery in Buckingham Palace.
Click here to find out more details.
Photo credits: sardinista via photopin
cc
and courtesy of the Historic Royal Palaces]]>
