For the first time, Queen Elizabeth II’s private rooms at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh have been opened to the public, offering a unique glimpse into her personal life. Among the items on display is her beloved teddy bear, affectionately named “Haddington,” which was gifted to her around the millennium.
A Personal Touch
The teddy bear was one of the few personal objects the late Queen insisted on having displayed at the palace. Emma Stead, the curator for the Palace of Holyroodhouse, explained: “The Queen was given him as a gift, and after that she asked that whenever she arrived here, he be placed in that particular position on the sofa awaiting her arrival.”
Another personal item is a pin cushion featuring badges from the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, which the Queen also liked to keep on display. “She had a few personal objects that she liked to be placed quite precisely,” Stead added.
Meticulous Arrangements
Learning curator Richard Williams noted that the Queen was very particular about the placement of her belongings. “All we can say is the Queen was very particular and that always would have gone there. I know from staff colleagues in Windsor that if they were going to redecorate her private rooms, they would take photos of everything so that they could put things back in the exact spot.”
The tour, which began on Thursday, marks the centenary of the late Queen’s birth and provides new insight into her private life. Williams described the rooms as “much more liveable, domestic, very comfortable spaces of a modern couple,” contrasting with the grandeur of other palace rooms.
Historic and Personal Furnishings
The rooms date back to the 17th century and have been used by successive monarchs since Queen Victoria’s reign. They are furnished with historic objects from the Royal Collection, as well as pieces from Elizabeth and Philip’s personal collections. Tours take visitors through the royal breakfast room, where the couple would dine privately while in residence.
Williams shared details of the Queen’s daily routine: “She would take breakfast between 9am and 9.15am, with the Queen’s piper playing down below in the garden. She and the Duke of Edinburgh would be here, the Scotsman newspaper would be delivered, also the Radio Times and the Racing Post as well. The Queen always knew everything that was going on.”
After the Duke of Edinburgh passed away, breakfast was the only meal she would eat by herself, sitting in a chair with her back to the fireplace so she could see all the staff.
The Sitting Room
The tours conclude in the sitting room, where the late Queen would work, reviewing government papers in red dispatch boxes, holding private audiences, or resting between engagements, often while watching horseracing on television. Williams noted that the Queen would often honour long-serving staff members in this room, inviting them for private conversations.
“In fact one of the members of staff who’s been here a very, very long time said that she had that experience. The Queen wanted to thank her for all that she’d done and they – in the window here – stood for a while having a nice private conversation, just the two of them. It’s something that has clearly left a indelible and wonderful mark on her.”
Limited-Time Exhibition
The tours of the private rooms will run daily for 100 days from Thursday until September 10. The Royal Collection Trust said tours are limited and must be booked in addition to the standard admission ticket to the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
