Remains of Richmond Palace

What is now a picturesque suburb of London holds the remnants of one of England’s most stunning royal palaces. The Richmond Palace is where Henry VIII feasted, and lost his son. It was his daughter Elizabeth I’s favorite palace, and where she died. It also had England’s first-ever flushing toilet.

Henry VII built Richmond Palace in 1501 on the site of an older royal residence, which was a replacement for an early manor house taken by Edward I in 1299.

Henry VIII held magnificent feasts in Richmond Palace with his first wife, Catherine, but the palace also held tragedy for him: His and Catherine’s only son was born in Richmond Palace in 1510 but died a month later. Eventually, Henry gave Richmond Palace to his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves, as part of her divorce settlement. The palace was a favorite residence of Henry’s daughter Elizabeth I, and was where she died (she was also the owner of that very first flushing toilet, designed by Sir John Harrington). The palace was eventually sold after Charles I’s execution. It was divided up and gradually rebuilt or demolished.

Some original elements survive to this day. The gatehouse, now a private residence, survives from Tudor times and still shows Tudor brickwork. The site of the palace runs from Richmond Green to the river, and includes the wardrobe building (originally used to house court clothing and regalia) and the Trumpeter’s house (named after statues) in Old Palace Yard. Many of the current buildings are historic, although most date from after the palace ceased to be a royal residence.