Curious discoveries dating back to the 1800s revealed as Buckingham Palace floorboards ripped up
A treasure trove of everyday objects ranging from old boots to planning documents for royal events has been uncovered amid the decade-long renovation project at Buckingham Palace.
The items are believed to belong to former staff and date as far back as Queen Victoria’s reign and emerged as old floors were ripped up and walls were torn down during the £369 million (AUD $697 million) refurbishment.
These objects shed light into the lives of staff who worked at Buckingham Palace over the past 200 years. Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty Images
These objects provide a fascinating insight into the life of workers at the Palace over the past 200 years, showing how they socialised with each other and prepared for royal events.
A ticket fragment embedded in a brick reveals there was a ‘Whist Drive’ card game event held at the Palace on April 14, 1949, when late Queen Elizabeth’s father, King George V was the reigning monarch.
There were also betting slips, a bottle of spring water, an empty cigarette carton and West End theatre listings from 1989.
One of the most insightful pieces was a schedule of a diplomatic reception Queen Elizabeth was hosting in 1977 – her Silver Jubilee year. Details from the document reveal she was planning to walk in a “clockwise direction” while working the room and how she wanted aides to mingle with guests.
Buckingham Palace has served as the official residence of the UK's sovereigns since 1837, when Queen Victoria moved in at the start of her reign, and has hosted four other monarchs since then.
As well as serving as the monarch's London home, it is their administrative headquarters and hosts many official events and receptions.
Parts of Buckingham Palace date back to the 1600s and include a former home known as Buckingham House.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip resided at Buckingham Palace until the COVID pandemic when they moved to Windsor Castle, where Philip died in 2021. The late Queen died at Balmoral Castle in 2022.
Buckingham Palace will continue to be the location for royal events like Trooping the Colour. AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth
Since King Charles acceded to the throne, he has continued to live in his long-time London home Clarence House, only travelling to Buckingham Palace for official duties.
The palace hosts a number of official events each year, although state banquets have been relocated to Windsor Castle as refurbishment works continue.
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Curious discoveries dating back to the 1800s revealed as Buckingham Palace floorboards ripped up
