Watching The Crown? Explore these royal pads!
It’s one of the most talked about shows of the year, but amidst all the drama, we’re huge fans of the royal residences depicted in The Crown.
Whilst Buckingham Palace and Balmoral Castle haven’t been listed for sale on Rightmove (…yet!), it got us thinking about some of the regal properties we do have on our site.
And we’re really excited to share these three properties with you, which all have interesting connections to the royal family.
Inside a royal’s former Belgravia home
A glamorous Belgravia mansion that once belonged to a senior royal is on the market for almost £20 million.
The Grade II-listed, six storey residence on Wilton Crescent was leased by Lord Mountbatten – the Duke of Edinburgh’s uncle – who lived in the house next door.
The grand, five-bedroom townhouse is said to have hosted several soirees for stars in the 60s and it’s easy to see why it was so popular.
Nestled between Chelsea and Mayfair, this exceptionally elegant property has huge entertaining spaces and beautiful period features such as a marble fireplace in the dining room and sash windows overlooking the crescent.
There are also French doors leading onto a private balcony, with a second set of doors leading to a private roof terrace, the perfect spot for an evening cocktail or two.
Lord Mountbatten lived next door in Wilton Crescent with his wife Countess Edwina Mountbatten between 1959 to 1968, with a blue plaque marking this on the property
During the 1960s, such was the extent was Mountbatten’s wealth and popularity, he also leased this neighbouring Wilton Crescent townhouse, needing extra space for entertaining, storing precious antiques and seeing friends.
Lord Mountbatten was a British Royal Navy officer and statesman. He was also Supreme Allied Commander during the Second World War.
Percy Lendrum, director at Dexters’ Chelsea office said: “The current owners have told us that Wilton Crescent is a wonderful family home that they have enjoyed for the past three decades.
“When they first moved into the property, a long-standing neighbour told them the property’s extensive history and notable residents, including the home once being leased by Lord Mountbatten when he needed extra space for entertaining.
“The owners have kept the interior design to the Georgian and Regency era, with the property’s classic features well-suited for displaying artwork or antiques.”
This property is listed for sale with Dexters.
Take a closer look at the property below:
The house built as a big wardrobe for the Royal Family
If you fancy living in a Tudor monarch’s former walk-in wardrobe then this three-bedroom home is definitely for you.
That’s because this charming 15th century Richmond property was where Queen Elizabeth I used to keep all her personal possessions and clothes.
It’s part of a terrace known as The Wardrobe and is the only surviving part of Richmond Palace, built by Henry VII on the site of the medieval Sheen Palace in London between 1498 and 1501.
The enchanting Grade I-listed property is nestled between Richmond Green and the River Thames and boasts an incredibly rich history.
Richmond Palace was a favourite residence of Queen Elizabeth I, and it was in The Wardrobe that her clothes were stored.
She needed a cupboard the size of a building to house everything and in the roof alone, it is said that 2,000 of her dresses were found in large chests.
Among the Tudor palace’s former residents are Henry VIII, particularly during the early days of his reign, Catherine of Aragon and Charles I.
Today, all that remains of the Tudor original is the front wall, part of the Palace’s courtyard, and heavy timberwork from the 1500s.
In Queen Anne’s reign, The Wardrobe underwent its most extensive renovation, undertaken by Sir Christopher Wren, it is believed. The Wardrobe was then divided into three buildings in 1957 by the Crown Estate.
The Wardrobe is now a magnificent end-of-terrace family home, with hugely spacious living areas and a sizeable 100ft private garden.
In the garden you’ll also find a pond and an ancient Judas tree. It’s bordered by one of the original palace walls, believed to have once provided access to the Palace Chapel.
This property is listed for sale with Chestertons.
Take a closer look at the property below:
Historic castle with links to Mary Queen of Scots
A grandiose castle said to be one of the most legendary in Scotland is on the market and could be yours for a hefty £8 million.
Seton Castle in East Lothian dates back to the 18th Century and is said to have been made from the stones of Seton Palace – Mary’s favourite retreat.
Set in an incredibly beautiful 13 acres of parkland and gardens in Longniddry, the castle has been transformed into a 13-bedroom home with working stables and even its very own private tavern.
Despite some modern features, however, its historic past remains undisguised in the form of secret staircases, curved doors and walls, arched windows and hidden doors inside the turreted building.
The restoration project has been unbelievably thorough, with the use of original French oak flooring from the same period, painstakingly renewed ironwork, staircase and ceilings, along with a major upgrade of all services and the rebuilding of turrets, chimneys and parapets.
Professional interior designers were brought in to select and hang a fabulous array of silks, damasks, tweeds and wool from many celebrated names including Ralph Lauren, Mulberry, Zoffany, Osborne & Little and Christian Lacroix.
In addition to the main house there are two self-contained apartments situated in the west wing, each with three bedrooms: Darnley Cottage and Bothwell Cottage (named after Mary Queen of Scots’ husbands, both of whom no doubt spent time at Seton Palace) are ideal for guest, extended family or staff accommodation.
There is also, up a discreet secret staircase, the fairytale ‘Hideaway’ – a romantic and atmospheric bedroom suite retreat.
East Lothian is also home to the world’s oldest golf club. Indeed, Mary Queen of Scots is said to have caused scandal by playing golf at Seton in 1568 following the death of her husband Lord Darnley. The open championship course of Muirfield is a mere 8-mile drive from Seton.
Jamie Macnab, of Savills, said: “Seton Castle is simply one of Scotland’s most significant and ravishing buildings, with eight centuries of history and legend carved deep in its walls. But it’s more than that. With the unstinting dedication and investment shown by recent owners, Seton Castle is now also a wonderfully comfortable and welcoming home. It has been exquisitely renovated and decorated, the stone of old now brilliantly showcased with lavish but carefully considered textiles and an exemplary level of finish to suit modern living.”
This property is being listed for sale with Savills.
