Inside the Queen’s Balmoral Castle study: Unseen photo of late monarch offers a rare glimpse at Her Majesty’s favourite treasures – from a corgi cushion to a photo of Princess Beatrice’s daughter Sienna
- Kensington Palace has published an unseen photograph of Queen Elizabeth II
- READ MORE: Kensington Palace release touching unseen photo of Queen Elizabeth II surrounded by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren
With family photographs, plenty of books and even a corgi cushion, Queen Elizabeth II’s study at Balmoral Castle had plenty of home comforts that are not wholly dissimilar to our own.
Only, of course, Her late Majesty’s were found next to a grand piano, gold-plated floral vases and likely priceless artwork.
The spacious study at the Queen’s Scottish estate is located beyond the drawing room and was thought to be used by the late monarch to deal with red dispatch boxes.
It is the setting of the touching unseen photograph shared by Kensington Palace of the Queen – taken on the eve of her death – and released on what would have been Her Majesty’s 97th birthday today.
The image of the monarch was captured by the Princess of Wales at Balmoral in August. Weeks later on September 8, the Queen would die at her beloved Aberdeenshire home, sparking mourning in the UK and around the globe.
The Queen in her element with some of her grand-children and great-grandchildren. Pictured alongside Her late Majesty are: Top row (L-R): Lady Louise Windsor, James, Earl of Wessex. Middle row (L-R): Lena Tindall, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Isla Phillips, Prince Louis. Bottom row (L-R): Mia Tindall, Lucas Tindall, Savannah Phillips
Happy in the Scottish Highlands she so loved, Her Majesty can be seen surrounded by some of her adored grand-children and great-grandchildren.
She appeared in her element with Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor, James, Earl of Wessex, Lena Tindall, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Isla Phillips, Prince Louis, Mia Tindall, Lucas Tindall and Savannah Phillips.
The new picture offers a rare glimpse of the Queen’s private world – and the personal trinkets, picturesque artwork and beloved family photographs she decided to keep close to her.
1: CORGI CUSHION
On the floor next to the sofa, there was a corgi cushion, featuring orange illustrations of the dogs on a cream background
The Queen’s love of her corgis is well-documented and this photo shows how she liked to be reminded of them while working in her study.
On the floor next to the sofa, there was a corgi cushion, featuring orange illustrations of the dogs on a cream background.
Throughout an historic reign that spanned decades, one constant in the Queen’s life had always been her unwavering love for her Corgis, so much so the pets have become a symbol of British royalty around the world.
Indeed, her lifelong commitment to her beloved pets helped her show a more candid side to the world, even writing ‘wickedly funny’ letters from her corgis to Jack Russells belonging to her former equerry Sir Blair Stewart-Wilson.
2 & 8 & 12: FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS
Among the more colourful additions to the room were three bouquets of flowers, two of which were placed in seemingly gold-plated floral vases
Among the more colourful additions to the room were three bouquets of flowers, two of which were placed in seemingly gold-plated floral vases.
With petals in summer pinks and tons of greenery, as well as one which held vibrant roses, the floral decorations brightened the room.
The roses were found on a side table next to the green sofa, held in a white and floral vase featuring a depiction of the flower they housed.
Then on top of a cream blanket, placed on the grand piano, was a plant with bright pink flowers. The vase for the plant was light blue with gold detailing around the top and bottom of the lavish item.
Finally, shown sitting between Lady Louise Windsor and James, Earl of Wessex, a bunch of light pink flowers were kept in a white vase, lined with gold details.
3 & 5 & 6: FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHS
Among the most personal items on display were touching family photographs – including one thought to show Princess Beatrice’s husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi holding their daughter Sienna Elizabeth at her christening (pictured right)
Among the most personal items on display were touching family photographs – including one thought to show Princess Beatrice’s husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi holding their daughter Sienna Elizabeth at her christening.
Although on many the exact figures are difficult to make out, the Queen’s beloved husband Prince Philip was likely to be among them, as well as other much-loved family members.
There also appeared to be a photograph of Her late Majesty nestled into the selection. An image to the left of the piano seemed to show the Queen holding flowers, while dressed in a red matching hat and coat dress ensemble.
4: GRAND PIANO
A grand piano sat in the corner of the room in the photograph – and appeared to not be put to too much use, considering it was covered with items
A grand piano sat in the corner of the room in the photograph – and appeared to not be put to too much use, considering it was covered with items.
For instance, over the top of the piano, a floral cover was positioned. This was potentially to avoid any of the photo frames and flowers on top of it ruining the piano.
7: SHELVES FILLED WITH BOOKS
Behind Her Majesty and some of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren was a filled wooden bookcase
Many members of the Royal Family are well read, and it appeared the Queen liked to indulge her loved ones’ enjoyment of reading.
Behind Her Majesty and some of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren was a filled wooden bookcase.
The shelves appeared to be overloaded with various books, while numerous treasured items sat above the bookcase.
Speaking to Femail, interior designer Benji Lewis explained that ‘low, open-fronted shelving is a practical way of storing books because it is easy reach for a child to access.’
9: ORNAMENTS
An ornament was placed on a wooden cabinet, next to the door. Positioned between two photo frames, the item – thought to be a ceramic white bowl – featured floral detailing
To ensure a room is as comforting as possible – while looking inviting and elegant – many like to dot delicate ornaments around their home.
It appears the Queen had the same idea when decorating her study; an ornament was placed on a wooden cabinet, next to the door.
Positioned between two photo frames, the item – thought to be a ceramic white bowl – featured floral detailing.
10 & 13: TARTAN THEMED ITEMS
There are several items that incorporated Highland details – including several photo frames housing family photographs that boasted tartan patterns
The Queen’s fondness for Scotland and her Scottish estate was no secret – and it appeared Her Majesty took much inspiration from her surroundings when deciding how to decorate her study.
There are several items that incorporated Highland details – including a plaid carpet, featuring green, yellow and red colours.
Several photo frames housing family photographs also boasted tartan patterns – from a red version placed next to the door on a cabinet to the green one situated on top of the piano.
11: ARTWORK
The Queen’s room in Balmoral Castle boasted at least three stunning pieces of framed art on her walls
Some believe one’s study isn’t complete without artwork – and clearly the Queen believed this notion.
For her room in Balmoral Castle boasted at least three stunning pieces of framed art on her walls.
The first – placed closest to the door – showed a cliff surrounded by crashing waves, with cloudy skies above.
The second showed a snowy mountain range, while the third kept to the theme of tall features, seemingly showing stone cliffs.
14: SETTEE WITH FLORAL UPHOLSTERY
The Queen and some of her loved ones were seen sitting on a green sofa, embellished with floral details
The Queen and some of her loved ones were seen sitting on a green sofa, embellished with floral details.
Interior designer Benji said: ‘Deep button detail is a feature you often see on a Victorian Chesterfield sofa; this one’s a cracker that in spite of its apparent age looks to be in immaculate condition.
‘It has probably been restored and re-upholstered when required rather than discarded and replaced with something modern.
‘The use of cord to follow the outline shape of the sofa arms and along the front rail is terribly smart and works beautifully here.’
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