The Queen's First Marital Residence Was Nothing Like Buckingham Palace

May 17, 2021 by apost team

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip's love story is one for the ages, and with the recent passing of her husband of 73 years, it's the end of an era. Their enduring love began when they were very young, and unlike other royal marriages that are often arranged, Elizabeth and Philip married for love. After doing so, they had remained each other's steadfast companions and supported one another through both great and devastating times. 

While Elizabeth had the responsibility of becoming a queen thrust upon her early on, Philip had to make compromises and sacrifices to support the new queen. Through his actions and devotion towards his wife, Philip became the perfect example of a royal consort and will remain an inspiration for decades to come. 

One aspect of their relationship that isn't often talked about is the brief period between when they got married and Elizabeth taking the throne. Said to be some of the happiest years of their lives, the newlywed couple were beginning their life together without the added pressures that the future queen would have to eventually take on. 

During this time they also lived in a much more modest home than Buckingham Palace, and it's rather surprising to see. For those years, the couple resided at Clarence House and although it appears much more humble than the palace, the young family truly loved it. It's said that even upon becoming the queen, Elizabeth wanted to stay living at Clarence House, but then-Prime Minister Winston Churchill insisted she move to Buckingham Palace.  

After marrying on Nov. 20, 1947, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip moved into Clarence House, their first marital home. The residence is nothing like the grand Buckingham Palace, which would become their home once Elizabeth took up the throne just six years later.

Designed to be intentionally plain as a contrast to Buckingham Palace, it was built in the 1800s from a design by architect John Nash. When Elizabeth and Phillip moved into the home in 1947, it was furnished rather minimally due to the post-war period. The Royal Collection Trust explains, "Post-war restrictions on building and materials meant that there was still an overall simplicity to the furnishings." 

But despite having a rather simplistic design, the newlywed couple were able to furnish their home with beautiful pieces of furniture, with the trust reporting, "much of the furniture came in the form of wedding presents." This included a bookcase that was given to the couple by Queen Mary.

Despite the more simple decor, the queen was incredibly fond of the residence and it's said that she actually preferred it to Buckingham Palace. Royal biographer Penny Junor wrote in her book "The Firm" that Her Majesty wished to stay living at Clarence House even after she took up the throne in 1953, but Sir Winston Churchill played a role in the queen moving to Buckingham Palace. An excerpt from the book states:

"None of them wanted to go. They loved Clarence House; it was a family home, but Winston Churchill, who was then Prime Minister, insisted upon it." 

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After they moved into Buckingham Palace, the queen's mom, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, took up residence at Clarence House, where she lived from 1953 until she passed away in 2002. In the nearly 50 years that she resided there she accumulated an impressive collection of artworks and antiques.

Since 2002, the queen's eldest son and future king, Prince Charles has lived at Clarence House with his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. Although the public hasn't seen much of the interior, we have been lucky enough to catch glimpses inside during virtual appearances and more formal events. These days the interior of the home is more lavish than in the 1940s when the queen lived there, but nonetheless, Prince Charles has chosen to keep as much of its tradition as possible, opting to restore the rooms rather than overhaul them.

Hello! magazine reported that Clarence House is largely filled with pastel colors and classic wooden furniture. In a recent photo on the @duchessofcornwallsreadingroom Instagram, Camilla has given a peek into her taste in interior decoration and furniture and also revealed that she loves elephant ornaments. The photo shows a large silver elephant on display on a wooden sideboard and is next to a teal vase. The snap also features an oval table in front of the window that has three photos on display, as well as a small vase of fresh flowers and three more small silver elephants. 

Ever since Prince Philip's death in April, the queen has changed her permanent residence to Windsor Castle and is expected to visit Buckingham Palace less frequently going forward.  

Did you know about Queen Elizabeth's fondness for her first marital home, Clarence House? If you found this article interesting, then be sure to pass it on to those you know!