Royal Residence Trivia

Did you know.....

One of the Queen's favorite homes is Windsor Castle - which is the largest occupied castle in the world.

The Queen does not own Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle.

Balmoral Castle and the Sandringham Estate are the personal property of The Queen.

In 1848, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert bought the lease on the property that Balmoral Castle stands on, without ever having seen the property. They eventually purchased the land in 1852.

The original castle on the land was inadequate for their needs, so Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and their growing brood, had another castle built (Balmoral Castle as it is today), while they resided in the old residence.

The foundation stone for Balmoral Castle was laid by Queen Victoria on 28th September 1853. Before the foundation stone was placed in position Queen Victoria signed a parchment recording the date. This parchment, together with an example of each of the current coins of the realm, were placed in a bottle, which was inserted into a cavity below the site prepared for the stone.

Balmoral Castle was completed in 1856 and the old building was then demolished. This building is commemorated by a stone which marks the position of the front door of the demolished castle. about 100 yards from the path. is located on the front lawn at a point opposite the tower and about 100 yards from the path.

Buckingham Palace has been the official residence of British Sovereigns since 1837.

Sandringham was the site of the first Royal Christmas broadcast to the Empire in 1932.

Both King George V and King George VI loved Sandringham. They died there in 1936 and 1952 respectively.

When King George V was Prince of Wales, he devised ST - Sandringham time. He had a passion for shooting and to make the most of winter daylight hours clocks all over the estate were advanced by half an hour. It was later abolished by King Edward VIII in 1936.

With the exception of King Edward VIII, all of King George V's children were born at York Cottage on the Sandringham estate

Diana, Princess of Wales was born at Park House on the Sandringham estate

King Olav of Norway was born at Sandringham


© Marilyn Braun 2009