Palaces continue...Kew Palace

The second Palace on our tour is Kew Place.  As I mentioned before I am living about a block from Kew Gardens and within it is Kew Palace.  The gardens surrounding this palace can not be explained in words.  As I walk through them I have a sense of complete serenity.  All I can hear are birds chirping and the sound of my own thoughts.  I can't tell you the last time I have felt that peaceful...all the way to my soul.  The Palace is at the opposite end of the garden then where I entered so it is a bit of a walk but the beauty of the garden made it alright.  I should note here Kew is a botanical garden so there are tons of different species of trees and flowers with huge green houses.

Kew Gardens

When I arrived at the palace I was surprised at how humble it was.  It was a bit more like a country home then what you would normally consider a palace.  It had such character though. What I love about the Palace was the top floor had been left very much as it was found.  Most people would probably just think it looked dirty and unfinished but what I saw was the beauty and history.  I loved the bit of original wall paper that was on the wall then was reproduced in some lot the lower level rooms.  There also were original wall panels with the 15 shilling price marked on them from when they were originally purchased.  You just can't get that amazing historical connection from something that has been remade to look like what it originally was.  You can only get that feel from the untouched raw look.  So amazing!

Original wallpaper 

It also has to say something about how things were made back then that all these structures are still standing and have a majority of all the original things.  One funny thing about Kew Palace is the height of the doorways.  I am 5' 6" on a tall day and my head was only a few inches under the doorways.  Many of you would be doing a lot of ducking all day long if you lived here.
The story of Kew Palace and King George III is quite interesting and a bit sad.  He was thought to be mad but actually he was just mis diagnosed by his doctor.  Queen Charlotte also died in this Palace but not before witnessing the marriage of her 2 sons (to separate women of course) to secure the future of  her dynasty.

The chair Queen Charlotte passed away in

 

Oh if these walls could talk....
Unfortunately for me one of the newly discovered items within the palace won't be on display until May....I guess I will just have to come back to finish my tour!