A number of forgotten fragments from Buckingham Palace’s past have been unearthed by workmen, giving mere mortals (like you and I) a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse of life inside the legendary London landmark.
Renovation work has been taking place at the palace since 2017 and is due to be finished in March of 2027. Throughout the rather lengthy refurbishment process, a whole host of random royal relics have been discovered beneath the floorboards and in hidden corners and crevices of the building.
The items found date back as far as the 1800s and a pair of battered black boots, an empty Silk Cut cigarette packet, a ticket to a ‘whist drive’ run by the Royal Household’s social club, and a bottle of sparkling water.
A rather detailed schedule typed up for a diplomatic reception being held by Queen Elizabeth II in 1977 (her Silver Jubilee year) was also discovered, revealing that the monarch would circulate the room in a ‘clockwise direction’ and that guests ‘should be encouraged to talk to the Diplomats’.
A plethora of old Christmas cards were also unearthed, along with blank Littlewoods Football Pool betting slips, various newspaper cuttings, and a coil of rubber cabling.
Buckingham Palace has certainly proved itself to be quite the treasure trove of twinkling gems during the decade-long, £370 million makeover. During the refurb, the palace’s electrics are being rewired, the plumbing and heating is being upgraded, and the ageing infrastructure is being given a bit of an overhaul to prevent any long-term damage.
