The Queen's House: A Social History of Buckingham Palace

by Edna Healey

With access to the Royal Archive and the blessing of the royal family, this charming social history of Buckingham Palace opens the doors to the grand halls and private parlors of the English monarchs who have dictated the tastes of London society for two hundred years.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Royalty, British Literature

448 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1998

About the author

Edna May Healey née Edna May Edmunds, was a writer, lecturer and film-maker married to Denis Healey.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Written in good detail by Edna Healey, the wife of former Cabinet Minister Lord Healey so she was present at some of the later going-on's at Buckingham House as it was first named. Interesting book..sometimes bogged down in to0 much detail about the expenses but the author talks about each successive reign who had anything to do with Buckingham Palace. Having had the pleasure of touring part of the Palace (thanks to Queen Elizabeth II who opened it up to tourists while she vacations at Balmoral) I was anxious to read this book. How would you like to clean 19 state rooms, 52 bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms? Me neither! 450 people work at the Palace and 40,000 are entertained there every year! Wish I was there now...outside...watching the Changing of the Guards.

[Wanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting!

If you like history, you will love this book. I did not know the history of Buckingham House until read this book. If you like anecdotes, this is the book for you.

[Michell Karnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It gave the history of Buckingham Palace from the beginning with the ownership of the land. The book not only gave the history of how the Palace was built and altered over the years but also the history of it many occupants and how they used the Palace. This building has been a home, office, retreat and symbol of this nation. It has been loved, respected and even hated by some of its owners.

[Steffanie Kamper Culp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a gripping page turner but interesting and some good bits about the royal family. As an Anglophile and architecture buff it was worth reading. The writer does clearly love Elizabeth II and her father.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book about the history of Buckingham Palace. This book takes the reader through the centuries and gives numerous details on how each monarch changed, decorated, and built new wings onto the palace.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an intriguing look into one of the most famous houses in the world. I loved the history presented in the book, and the only issue I had was that the kindle versions didn't include pictures! Luckily - we had the book in stock ;)

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great info (a bit difficult to wade through if you don't know Englsh history) but the ebook version does not include pictures.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though some details are interesting, I got lost in the generations and became bored. I returned the book early on.

[Rd · Rating 3 out of 5]

A slightly biased view of the Royal family and some of their shenanigans but a good history of the palace.

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was interesting but has a lot of information in it. It is not a fast read but for those who interested in royal history, you will like this one.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buckingham Palace has been the official residence of the British monarchy since the 19th century. The core of the palace was a townhouse built for the Duke of Buckingham in 1705. In 1761, the townhouse was acquired by George III and it became the private residence of his wife, Queen Charlotte. The house eventually became known as "The Queen's House." The house was enlarged in the early 19th century and it became the official royal palace in 1837. Each reigning monarch has left his/her stamp on the palace and The Queen's House is the palace's story.

The Queen's House was an interesting read that was not only a history of Buckingham Palace but also a history of the people that lived there. No only did it talk about its construction, decorations and how it was run, the book was also part British history. Traces of British Royals can be found throughout the palace as they re-decorated or added furniture. For example, Prince Albert was influential in restructuring the organization of the household staff and offices, a new wing was added as Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's family grew, Queen Alexandra redecorated the state rooms in a gold and cream color scheme that it retains today, and Queen Mary took a great interest in the Royal Collection of decorative arts....

For my full review, visit: http://bit.ly/qKhifS

[Merry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ha, Ha! I finally finished this book. It was sort of my book to read in between the other books I was reading. So it took me a while to finish it. But it was an interesting history. I just got lost sometimes in all of the talk of budgets and artisans.

[Annm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book makes me think that talking about the history of any home would prove enlightening about the people who have lived there. This was a great book about sometimes interesting people and very interesting times.

[J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Broughps · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting. Would love to see a new addition to this with updated info.