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A behind the scenes look through the corridors of power in ten of the most opulent and historic royal residences on Earth. We reveal the stories behind the Kings and Queens who lived in these grand homes and uncover the secrets of the architects, engineers and courtiers who brought them to life.
2019
Hampton Court Palace has history coursing through the brickwork. Famous for being the home of King Henry VIII, the magnificent rooms have played host to some of the most celebrated royals in England. Decisions that were made here, changed the course of British history.
For 350 years, Schönbrunn Palace was the main Summer residence of Austria's imperial family, the Habsburgs. Designed in a rococo style, the 1,441 rooms have played host to some of Europe's most influential figures including Marie Antoinette, Mozart and Napoleon Bonaparte. Schönbrunn was home to two of the great Habsburgs matriarchs, Empresses Maria Theresa and Elisabeth. Maria Theresa ruled for 40 years in the 18th century and married her daughters into some of the most powerful royal houses across Europe. Empress Elisabeth, known affectionately across the Austrian Empire as Sisi, has often been compared to Princess Diana because of her beauty and iconic status. She was assassinated in Geneva in 1898.
The Royal Palace of Caserta is the largest palace in the world. The gigantic structure lies 30km north of Naples and has 1200 rooms on five floors, spread across 762,000 square metres. The palace combines stunning architecture with mind-boggling engineering to create a truly unique building. Caserta was the main hub of the Bourbon-ruled Kingdom of Naples. Architect, Luigi Vanvitelli created Caserta for King Charles VII in 1752. To bring water to the palace from the Taburno Mountains over 40km away, Vanvitelli created the Caroline Aqueduct. At a gradient of just half a millimetre per metre, the water system it is a mathematical marvel.And, within the palace grounds is a silk factory that dates back to the 18th century and still functions to this day.
London's Kensington Palace is an intimate residence that houses today's modern royals. Hidden away in London's Hyde Park, it began life as an early 17th century Jacobean mansion before becoming a palace fit for the monarchy. Commissioned as a new home for King William III and Queen Mary II in 1689, Kensington was the brainchild of architect Sir Christopher Wren. Its construction was state of the art and its design was the height of sophistication. Two of the most famous royals in British history, Queen Victoria and Princess Diana have both lived at the palace. Today, half of Kensington Palace is open as a museum while the other half is split into private apartments for members of the royal family.
A breath-taking fairytale palace in the snowcapped mountains of Bavaria in Southern Germany. Created for the eccentric King, Ludwig the second, the fantastical castle is both a visual and engineering marvel that was even an influence on Walt Disney. Sitting in the Alps, the 19th century structure was inspired by the operas of German composer, Richard Wagner. King Ludwig created Neuschwanstein to look medieval, but it was kitted out with all the latest innovations. The palatial home contains a huge throne room and a man-made cave. It took 17 years to build but was never fully completed after Ludwig was deposed, incarcerated and mysteriously died in 1868.
A look at Edinburgh Castle - a symbol of Scottish might that has been besieged more than 20 times and has existed in many guises, including a military fortress, prison and palace.
Behind the scenes of the ChÔteau de Fontainebleau in France, which began life as a medieval castle in the 12th century before being turned into a renaissance palace in the 1500s.
A visit to Peles Castle in Romania, which was built in a medieval style in 1914 but is filled with modern technological innovations, including its own hydro-electric power plant.
The Royal Palace of Stockholm, constructed on the site of a former castle called Tre Kronor, has been the official residence of the monarchy for over 250 years.
Behind the scenes of Lukshmi Villas Palace in India, which was built for the Maharaja of Baroda in 1890 and remains the home of the royal family to this day.
Christien Anholt
Narrator
