Castles, Palaces and Houses of Queen Elizabeth II

We start with an exploration of the Princess Elizabeth’s childhood settings in London, Windsor and Scotland. She was born at her maternal grandparents’ London house on 21 April 1926, then christened in the private chapel at Buckingham Palace by the Archbishop of York, Cosmo Gordon Lang, on 29 May. When she was aged 2, Winston Churchill described her as ‘... a character. She has an air of authority and reflectiveness astonishing in an infant.’ She became heir presumptive in 1936 when her father became George VI on the abdication of her uncle, Edward VIII. In December 1939, three months into WWII, George VI was preparing his Christmas Speech to the nation. He asked the 13 years old Elizabeth what he should say, she suggested that he read from a poem by Minnie Louise Haskings.

In November 1947 she married Philip Mountbatten and they lived for a time in Malta. On the death of her father in February 1952 she became Queen Elizabeth II (Elizabeth I in Scotland). The formative scene set, we will then explore her official and private residences. Windsor Castle is the oldest continuously inhabited castle in the world and is her home, tragically on 20th November 1992 fire broke out and ravaged its ancient fabric. We will examine the evolution of its architecture, collections and current status. Buckingham Palace is her official residence dating back to Mulberry Gardens that were created for James I, a royal home from the reign of George III. Many a contemporary royal has made an ‘official’ appearance on its iconic balcony. ‘Scottish Baronial’ Balmoral Castle was built by Victoria and Albert, prior to the pandemic the Queen and family spent the summer months here in the Scottish Highlands, and it remains a favourite royal home.

We conclude with her favourite (pre-pandemic) Christmas residence, Sandringham in Norfolk, during World War II she and her sister Princess Margaret spent a great deal of time there. We will also study the interior of its church, St Mary Magdalene. Every property will be examined through its ancient and contemporary association with Queen Elizabeth II. 

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes for this course are:

• Gaining an insight into how ‘home’ has defined Britain’s longest reigning monarch  
• Understanding that the role of architecture and setting remains a key symbol for contemporary royalty  
• Providing knowledge that will enhance the pleasure of visiting these royal domains 

Classes

1. Setting the scene - childhood haunts, family connections and marriage
Although born into royalty, Elizabeth was not expected to reign, we start with her birth in the London house of her maternal grandparents - 17, Bruton Street (now a restaurant), her lifetime attachment to their Scottish seat Glamis Castle remains. A tour of other properties associated with family and friends.  

2. A thousand years of royal presence – Windsor Castle
Not quite a thousand years but a castle in the public eye from its construction by William the Conqueror in the 1070s to the world screening of the funeral of Prince Philip in 2021. Today home to the Royal family, the old castle and its additions dominate the town of Windsor, within a host of architects and designers have wrought changes creating rooms of fabulous artworks and historic artefacts.  

3. Jacobean Mulberry Garden to royal office: Buckingham Palace, London
James I decreed that Britain should develop a silk industry for which he organised the importation of 1,000s of mulberry trees, including setting aside 4 acres near the Palace of Westminster, the site for this lecture. We will trace the development of the building from its acquisition by the Duke of Buckingham to its status today as an international symbol of British monarchy.  

4. The Royal Highlands and Scottish Baronial style: Balmoral Castle
The only royal property away from England, we will focus on the Scottishness of its history and the building of a Victorian interpretation of Highland castle architecture. Thirty miles of the course of its salmon river is known as Royal Deeside. We will examine its continuing role as a favoured royal home.    

5. A Royal Country House Estate – Sandringham
The first visit by Princess Elizabeth was Christmas 1926, aged just eight months. During the Second World War she and her sister were often resident on the Sandringham estate, living at Appleton House. The Queen's attachment to Sandringham has remained as strong as that of her father, grandfather and great-grandfather. In 1957 she made her first televised broadcast live on Christmas Day from the library.

Typical week: Monday to Friday

For each week of study you select a morning (Am) and an afternoon (Pm) course, each course has five sessions, one each day Monday to Friday. The maximum class size is 25 students. Your weekly courses are complemented by a series of two daily plenary lectures, exploring new ideas in a wide range of disciplines. To add to the learning experience, we are also planning additional evening talks and events.

Evaluation and Academic Credit 

If you are seeking to enhance your own study experience, or earn academic credit from your Cambridge Summer Programme studies at your home institution, you can submit written work for assessment for one or more of your courses. 

Essay questions are set and assessed against the University of Cambridge standard by your Course Director, a list of essay questions can be found in the Course Materials. Essays are submitted two weeks after the end of each course, so those studying for multiple weeks need to plan their time accordingly. There is an evaluation fee of £65 per essay.

For more information about writing essays see Evaluation and Academic Credit.

Certificate of attendance

A certificate of attendance will be sent to you electronically within a week of your courses finishing.