St James's Palace Marlborough Street London England
St. James's Palace has been the setting for some of the most important events in Royal history. Built largely between 1531 and 1536, St. James's Palace was a residence of kings and queens of England for over 300 years. It remains the official residence of the Sovereign, although, since the accession of Queen Victoria in 1837, the Sovereign has lived at Buckingham Palace. High Commissioners present letters and Ambassadors are still formally accredited to the Court of St. James's for this reason. The palace was built by Henry VIII on the site of the Hospital of St. James, Westminster. Much survives of the red-brick building erected by Henry VIII, including the Chapel Royal, the gatehouse, some turrets and two surviving Tudor rooms in the State apartments. Buildings later sprawled to cover the area of four courts now known as Ambassadors' Court, Engine Court, Friary Court and Colour Court. The great Tudor Gatehouse at the southern end of St. James's Street still bears Henry VIII's royal cypher HR, surmounted by his crown, above the original foot passages leading through to Colour Court. In 1809, much of the east and south ranges of the Palace was destroyed by fire, but the State rooms were restored by 1813. . William IV was the last Sovereign to use St. James's Palace as a residence.
Size: 5010px × 3355px
Location: St James's Palace Marlborough Street London England
Photo credit: © David South / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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