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Palace Restoration Unearths 140-Year-Old Secrets
14 Sep
Summary
- Nearly 140-year-old items were discovered during restoration.
- Found items include boots, betting slips, and a newspaper.
- Restoration of Buckingham Palace is a 10-year plan.
During a significant refurbishment at Buckingham Palace, workers uncovered a remarkable collection of everyday items. These objects, some dating back nearly 140 years, offer a unique window into the lives of past palace staff.
Discoveries include a pair of hobnailed boots, fragments of Minton tiles from the mid-1800s, and a pewter tankard. More recent finds like a whist drive ticket from 1949 and Silk Cut cigarette packaging highlight life in the mid-20th century. A newspaper article detailing the Great Train Robbery of 1963 was also found.
The £369m, 10-year refurbishment plan, funded by the Sovereign Grant, is set to conclude in March. This project involves replacing aging cables, pipes, wiring, and boilers, many of which have been in place for 60 years, to mitigate fire and water damage risks.
Further items included Queen Elizabeth II's typed schedule for her 1977 Silver Jubilee diplomatic reception, detailing guest mingling instructions. The royal residence is also slated for greater public access and potentially longer opening periods post-renovation. King Charles and Queen Camilla currently reside at Clarence House and will not move into Buckingham Palace after the works are complete.
