The Queen has given a rare insight into her official Scottish residence, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, in a series of Instagram posts to mark Holyrood Week. Her Majesty would typically spend this week in residence at the Palace in Edinburgh, however, all of her official royal duties have been put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Although the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh remain at Windsor Castle, where they have been isolating together since March, the photos and videos posted on The Royal Family Instagram account reflected on how the monarch may have spent her week.
GALLERY: Inside the Queen and Prince Philip's official Scottish residence, Palace of Holyroodhouse
WATCH: Inside the Queen's royal residences
Activities would have included hosting thousands of visitors at her annual garden party and carrying out investiture ceremonies, but no doubt she would have enjoyed spending some time at the historic residence, which is located at the heart of Edinburgh and has been home to the royal family for more than 500 years.
MORE: 12 royal living rooms that will take your breath away
The pictures shared on Instagram Stories showcased Holyroodhouse’s vast history, including Mary Queen of Scots’ bedchamber and supper room, which can be explored by members of the public.
© Photo: InstagramThe royal dining room at the Palace of Holyroodhouse was named by Queen Victoria
They also showed some rooms we don’t often get to see, including the Great Gallery, which is lined with portraits of every King of Scotland and is where investitures are held. We also got to see the impressive royal dining room, named by Queen Victoria, which has pistachio green walls and red carpets, with a long banqueting table at its centre.
GALLERY: See where the Queen is isolating at Windsor Castle
The late monarch’s husband Prince Albert, meanwhile, put his own stamp on The Great Stair, which is lined with 16th-century tapestries he selected. The staircase leads up to the State Rooms and has spectacular plasterwork ceilings featuring the figures of angels carrying the Honours of Scotland.
© Photo: InstagramThe Great Stair has 16th-century tapestries hanging on the walls
The Palace of Holyroodhouse is one of two Scottish residences belonging to the Queen. Her Majesty typically spends her summer holidaying on the Balmoral Estate with her family, but the coronavirus pandemic also means her normal summer plans have been cancelled.
Like this story? Sign up to our newsletter to get other stories like this delivered straight to your inbox.
