St James's Palace From Leper Hospital to Royal Court

In this first modern history of St James's Palace, authors Simon Thurley, Rufus Bird, and Michael Turner shed new light on a remarkable building that, despite serving as the official residence of the British monarchy from 1698 to 1837, is by far the least known of the royal residences. The book explores the role of the palace as home to the heir to the throne before 1714, its impact on the development of London and the West End during the late Stuart period, and how, following the fire at the palace of Whitehall, St James's became the principal seat of the British monarchy in 1698. The book also chronicles the arrangement and display of the paintings and furnishings making up the royal collection at St James's, following the fortunes of the palace through the Victorian, Edwardian, and Elizabethan periods up to the present day. Today, the Palace is still a royal residence and often used for charitable functions, state visits, and other important ceremonies. This book is enriched with a foreword by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, whose London residence is contained at St James's Palace. With over three hundred color images, including detailed maps and digital reconstructions of the structure, St James's Palace is an invaluable resource, illuminating the history of this royal residence.