Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse – these buildings have been part of British royal history for hundreds of years. THE QUEEN'S PALACES, a three-part series, showcases the art and architecture, the interior decoration and the treasures stored inside these fabulous buildings and reveals the surprising and fascinating stories behind them.
The Royal Collection
The Royal Collection contains numerous works of art, furniture, jewellery and much more shaped by the personal tastes of Kings and Queens over 500 years.
As well as the story of the building’s creation, as host Fiona Bruce walks around the rooms and corridors she captures the stories and histories of works of art and fine objects, so that each film marries the chronology of history and the pure delight of a walk around a beautiful interior.
Alongside the paintings by Holbein and the Canaletto that hang on the palace walls, Fiona discovers the story behind a cat needlework panel at Holyroodhouse and finds the musket ball that killed Nelson on display in Windsor Castle.
Combining Fiona’s role as interested amateur with contributions from Royal Collection curators and experts, each program offers a mix of high level insight and interesting and curious stories.
"Windsor Castle" - From the bowels of the Castle to the heights of the battlements, Fiona encounters all manner of royal treasures - from the musket ball that killed a naval hero to table decorations in gold and silver and encrusted with jewels; from the triple-headed portrait of a king who lost his head to Queen Mary's Dolls' House with running taps, and a secret garden hidden in a drawer. All of this was almost lost in the disastrous fire of 1992.
Up Next: The final episode, "Holyrood House," will air on Monday, April 16 at 9 p.m.
"Buckingham Palace," the first episode, aired on Monday, April 2, 2012 at 10 p.m.
