Suzerain
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This is an interesting place as we've seen so little about it. As you know, Bagshot Park is the current home of The Earl and Countess of Wessex aka Edward and Sophie. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bagshot_ParkHere are some pics from the outside:       There are very few pics available of the interior.   http://www.transformhousi...-hrh-countess-wessex-gcvoSome history: "The original Bagshot Lodge (not the present Lodge, visible on the public road at the entrance to the drive) was built between 1631 and 1633[2] as one of a series of small lodges designed for King Charles I by Inigo Jones. It was remodelled between 1766 and 1772 according to designs of James Paine for George Keppel, the 3rd Earl of Albemarle, and altered in 1798 by Sir John Soane for the Duke of Clarence (later King William IV), who lived there until 1816.
Bagshot Park was subsequently used by Prince William Frederick, Duke of Gloucester, nephew of King George III. The Duke added pieces of property between the estate and Sunningdale; his widow, Princess Mary, daughter of King George III, continued to live there after his death until she moved out in 1847. The original house was demolished in 1877-78.
A new building with 120 rooms was completed in 1879. The 1881 census records an equerry and 26 servants living in the main house: an under butler, a housekeeper, four valets, two lady's maids, two dressers, a cook, three kitchen maids, three housemaids, three footmen, a page, a porter, a scullery maid, two other junior posts and a soldier. A coachman and seven grooms lived in the stables. Two other domestic staff lived in one of the lodges, three agricultural workers lived in another, and one gardener is recorded as living on the estate. From 1880 this was the principal residence of Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn, a son of Queen Victoria. The Duke, who was Governor General of Canada from 1911 until 1916, died at Bagshot Park in 1942."George Keppel, the 3rd Earl of Albemarle is actually Camilla's ancestor and Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn was the father of Princess Margaret of Connaught, later Margareta, the Crown Princess of Sweden, the present King CG's paternal grandmother. Margaret was born in Bagshot Park. |
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rosella
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This is an interesting place as we've seen so little about it. As you know, Bagshot Park is the current home of The Earl and Countess of Wessex aka Edward and Sophie. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bagshot_ParkHere are some pics from the outside: There are very few pics available of the interior. http://www.transformhousi...-hrh-countess-wessex-gcvoSome history: "The original Bagshot Lodge (not the present Lodge, visible on the public road at the entrance to the drive) was built between 1631 and 1633[2] as one of a series of small lodges designed for King Charles I by Inigo Jones. It was remodelled between 1766 and 1772 according to designs of James Paine for George Keppel, the 3rd Earl of Albemarle, and altered in 1798 by Sir John Soane for the Duke of Clarence (later King William IV), who lived there until 1816.
Bagshot Park was subsequently used by Prince William Frederick, Duke of Gloucester, nephew of King George III. The Duke added pieces of property between the estate and Sunningdale; his widow, Princess Mary, daughter of King George III, continued to live there after his death until she moved out in 1847. The original house was demolished in 1877-78.
A new building with 120 rooms was completed in 1879. The 1881 census records an equerry and 26 servants living in the main house: an under butler, a housekeeper, four valets, two lady's maids, two dressers, a cook, three kitchen maids, three housemaids, three footmen, a page, a porter, a scullery maid, two other junior posts and a soldier. A coachman and seven grooms lived in the stables. Two other domestic staff lived in one of the lodges, three agricultural workers lived in another, and one gardener is recorded as living on the estate. From 1880 this was the principal residence of Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn, a son of Queen Victoria. The Duke, who was Governor General of Canada from 1911 until 1916, died at Bagshot Park in 1942."George Keppel, the 3rd Earl of Albemarle is actually Camilla's ancestor and Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn was the father of Princess Margaret of Connaught, later Margareta, the Crown Princess of Sweden, the present King CG's paternal grandmother. Margaret was born in Bagshot Park. It's a huge place. I believe they lease some of it out. Victorian architecture isn't the most appealing IMO, but the house looks well-maintained. |
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Suzerain
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Of course I forgot to mention Princess Margaret was also Queen Ingrid of Denmark's mother and the family was photographed in Bagshot as well. http://en.wikipedia.org/w...ess_Margaret_of_Connaughthttp://dukeofconnaught.yolasite.com/family.php Margareta and Gustaf Adolf (later Gustaf VI Adolf) probably with baby Prince Gustaf Adolf (present King CG's father)  Bagshot Park in August 1935 Back row: (l to r) Alexandra, Duchess of Fife (Princess Arthur of Connaught), Alastair Earl of MacDuff, Prince Arthur of Connaught Middle row: (l to r) two unidentied men, Leonie Leslie, unidentified men Seated: (l to r) Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark, Lady Patricia Ramsay (Princess Patricia of Connaught), Princess Helena Victoria, Crown Princess Ingrid of Denmark, the Duke of Connaught (in chair), unidentified man seated on ground. |
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Molly2101
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The Billiard room photo is from Bagshot I believe. "It is also a remarkable monument in the history of Indian taste in Britain: an Indian billiard room wing, which inspired the more famous Durbar Room at Osborne House, was prefabricated in India and installed in the 1880s" - from Wikipedia (take it with a pinch of salt admittedly). I love the features of their drawing room seen in the picture below (apart from the terrifying sculpture of a baby's head which makes me think of the horror film The Haunting.)  |
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"All my heart is yours, sir: it belongs to you; and with you it would remain, were fate to exile the rest of me from your presence forever." Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte.
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Honeybees
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The Billiard room photo is from Bagshot I believe. "It is also a remarkable monument in the history of Indian taste in Britain: an Indian billiard room wing, which inspired the more famous Durbar Room at Osborne House, was prefabricated in India and installed in the 1880s" - from Wikipedia (take it with a pinch of salt admittedly). I love the features of their drawing room seen in the picture below (apart from the terrifying sculpture of a baby's head which makes me think of the horror film The Haunting.) I believe it was extensively used by the military during World War II. |
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ralf103
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Jeez what a massive house, its looks almost as big as Sandringham! Well its always been said Edward was the most 'royal' of all the siblings (Apart from Charles)
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rosella
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Thanks for these photos and information; very interesting. I know that some of the outbuildings are leased out to businesses but you have to wonder what two adults and two children do with 127 rooms, even if they have a few live-in staff.
The Duke of Connaught's grandson Alistair (featured in one of the photos) was a strange character. He died in Canada in his twenties of hypothermia, being found naked in the snow after falling/jumping from a window at Canada's Government House during the war. He was the second and last Duke of Connaught.
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ralf103
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Apparently they pay ?90,000 a year for it, not bad considering how big it is. Interestingly they did lease part of the old stables to a Canadian Pharmaceuticals company in 2004 for 5 years for a total of ?400,000...or ?80,000 a year.
(quick maths ?90,000 a year lease minus ?80,000 a year sublease = ?10,000)
So yeah, all that house for ?10,000 a year ain't bad!
I can't imagine its the most cosy or friendly of royal residences, it looks massive for a family of 4!
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Molly2101
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Thanks for these photos and information; very interesting. I know that some of the outbuildings are leased out to businesses but you have to wonder what two adults and two children do with 127 rooms, even if they have a few live-in staff.
The Duke of Connaught's grandson Alistair (featured in one of the photos) was a strange character. He died in Canada in his twenties of hypothermia, being found naked in the snow after falling/jumping from a window at Canada's Government House during the war. He was the second and last Duke of Connaught.
I don't believe they use the entire house, although hide and seek with your friends would be never ending there. The fireplace in this photo is amazing! I am not sure what room it's from but it's gorgeous. The dark wood is so lovely. The photo is from a dinner they held for DoE award.  |
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"All my heart is yours, sir: it belongs to you; and with you it would remain, were fate to exile the rest of me from your presence forever." Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte.
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luvcharles
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Interestingly the Future Engagements page of the British monarchy website has a number of engagements going to be taking place at Bagshot (presumably due to the refurbishment of BP where the Wessex's would normally host these events).
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jolene
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I wish we could see more interior pictures of Bagshot Park. Beautiful home.
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Miss Marple
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Considering he is kid #4 and was never in line. Wow. That is a lovely house.
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