Kate Williams

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The Royal Palaces

Royal expert and TV historian Kate Williams opens the doors to 30 palaces, castles and houses that have been connected with the British royals over the centuries.

Well known for her expert insights in the media and on countless royal documentaries, Kate takes you on a tour of the UK’s most fascinating palaces, past and present, to unveil the scandalous and little-known stories hidden between their walls.

Included in the book are such famous royal residences as Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, but also lesser-known locations such as Falkland Palace and Beaumaris Castle. Covering the breadth of British history, there are tales from the Medieval era to the present.

Among the palaces included are:

• Hatfield House, where young Elizabeth I held court before finding out she would become queen • Whitehall Palace and Banqueting Hall, home to Charles II's secret laboratory, where he tried to create an elixir of youth using human skulls • Glamis Castle, the inspiration for Shakespeare’s Macbeth • Greenwich Palace, where Elizabeth I survived an assassination attempt when poison was placed in her saddle • Nonsuch Palace, a grand Tudor palace built by Henry VIII and pulled down by Charles II’s mistress • Frogmore House, a long-time royal residence used by Queen Charlotte, King George V and Princess Alexandra • Osborne House, designed by Prince Albert in the style of an Italian Renaissance palazzo • Windsor Castle, the famous residence of Queen Elizabeth II before her death

Revel in the glory and glamour of royal life, as well as the salacious scandals that defined these palaces. The book is vividly brought to life by numerous beautiful illustrations by James Oses, and will be irresistible to anyone interested in British royalty and the history of Great Britain.