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In the last episode of this series, historian Dan
Cruickshank takes viewers through the developments that occurred to
a number of Britain’s royal palaces during the nineteenth century
and twentieth century. With the widowhood of Queen Victoria, the
break out of the First World War and the difficult interwar period,
Britain’s palaces faced numerous threats of damage and possible
ruin.
Last week’s episode looked at the ways in which classical
architecture dominated Stuart and Georgian palaces and how this
style was used to emulate divine kingship. However in this
episode, called Opening the Palace
Doors, Dan Cruickshank illustrates how the
shock of Prince Albert’s death in 1861 nearly led to the end of
palace livelihood altogether.
Cruickshank describes to viewers how there was a flourish of
palatial development just before the outbreak of the Great War in
1914 through the redesign and renovation of Buckingham Palace and
The Mall. He then analyses the challenges that the royal
family faced in retaining their palaces during the hardship of the
interwar years.
Cruickshank brings the series neatly to an end by revealing the
ways in which Britain’s palaces have been restored and conserved in
recent years, much to the appreciation of the royal family and
tourists alike. During his investigation, Cruickshank comes across
a number of interesting finds, including decades old Hoovers, a
piece of broken decoration from Henry VIII’s Turkish bath and even
some old John Lewis receipts.
Opening the Palace Doors will be broadcasted on BBC
Four at 9pm on Wednesday 2nd July. It will then be available to
view online soon after. This episode was directed and produced by
Graham Cooper.
Featured photo credit: BBC/Emilie Sandy
Photo credit: BBC/Historic Royal Palaces]]>
