Fit For A King: Exploring the Opulent Sets and Filming Locations of The Crown
Fit For A King: Exploring the Opulent Sets and Filming Locations of The Crown - Buckingham Palace Brought to Life
Buckingham Palace stands as an iconic landmark, instantly recognizable around the world as the London residence of the British Royal Family. While we may be familiar with its lavish exterior, the inner workings of the palace largely remain a mystery to the public. Through the exquisite sets and scenes of The Crown, viewers are offered an insider's glimpse into the opulent state rooms, private apartments, and vast gardens of this royal residence.
Fans delight at seeing the palace brought to life on-screen in all its glory. We wander the gilded halls that house priceless works of art. Peering into the magnificent Ball Room, it's easy to envision the grand receptions held here. The show offers a voyeuristic view into sacred spaces like the throne room, where ceremonial rituals unfold. In intimate scenes within the Queen's private apartments, we gain insight into her daily life within the palace walls. Sweeping shots of the rear garden provide perspective on the sheer massive scale of the grounds.
While creative liberties were certainly taken, the show's production team took painstaking efforts to authentically recreate the palace's interiors. Many scenes were filmed on-location at the actual Buckingham Palace. Special permission was granted to shoot in spots like the Grand Staircase, truly bringing the sets to life. In other areas, studios were used to meticulously construct replicas of rooms based on palace floorplans. The result is an uncannily accurate reproduction of spaces few will ever see first-hand.
Through strategic cinematography, Buckingham Palace becomes a character itself; the cold, cavernous hallways underscoring the Queen's own isolation within them. Sunlight pouring into regal rooms provides stark contrast to darker moments. Our understanding of the royals is shaped by seeing them firmly established within the confines of the palace. We imagine years of history imprinted upon its walls.
What else is in this post?
- Fit For A King: Exploring the Opulent Sets and Filming Locations of The Crown - Buckingham Palace Brought to Life
- Fit For A King: Exploring the Opulent Sets and Filming Locations of The Crown - Inside Westminster Abbey's Royal History
- Fit For A King: Exploring the Opulent Sets and Filming Locations of The Crown - Windsors' Countryside Retreats
- Fit For A King: Exploring the Opulent Sets and Filming Locations of The Crown - Following the Royal Newlyweds at Ely Cathedral
- Fit For A King: Exploring the Opulent Sets and Filming Locations of The Crown - Majestic Scottish Backdrops for Royal Romance
- Fit For A King: Exploring the Opulent Sets and Filming Locations of The Crown - Royal Yacht Britannia: At Sea with the Windsors
- Fit For A King: Exploring the Opulent Sets and Filming Locations of The Crown - Grand Locales for State Dinners and Politics
- Fit For A King: Exploring the Opulent Sets and Filming Locations of The Crown - Castles and Palaces of Ascending to the Throne
Fit For A King: Exploring the Opulent Sets and Filming Locations of The Crown - Inside Westminster Abbey's Royal History
Step inside Westminster Abbey, and you’ll find yourself immersed in the rich pageantry of British royal history. As one of the most famed sites of coronation, wedding and burial for English and British monarchs, this gothic church holds profound meaning. Its origins trace back to the 10th century, though the current abbey was constructed in the 13th century by Henry III. Within these ancient walls, the legends of kings and queens have played out for centuries.
Wander through the nave and you’ll discover the grave sites of monarchs past. Elizabeth I, James I, Charles II, and Mary Queen of Scots are all laid to rest here. Magnificent tombs honor them, including Elizabeth’s imposing marble effigy resting atop her tomb. The graves serve as poignant reminders of the ultimate fate that awaits even the mightiest rulers.
Peer down into the vaults, and you’ll find the coffins of more recent royals. It’s a surreal experience to stand steps away from where the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret were laid to rest. 17 monarchs in total are buried at the abbey, their legacies literally carved in stone.
Few sites are more steeped in royal ceremony than the Coronation Chair. All coronations since 1308 have taken place in Westminster Abbey, with the monarch seated in this ancient wooden throne. Deeply gouged from centuries of use, the chair serves as a focal point highlighting the rich traditions of the abbey.
The abbey has also hosted countless royal weddings, with all eyes focused on the Great West Door. Here, newlyweds make their first appearance to cheering crowds. Most recently, William and Kate shared a fairy tale kiss on the balcony following their 2011 wedding. That iconic moment left an indelible mark on the abbey.
Fit For A King: Exploring the Opulent Sets and Filming Locations of The Crown - Windsors' Countryside Retreats
Beyond the pomp and circumstance of London, the Windsors maintain several countryside estates offering an escape into nature and relative privacy. These sprawling rural retreats provide respite from public duties and offer glimpses into the royals’ more casual private lives.
Nestled amidst 50,000 acres in the Scottish Highlands, Balmoral Castle has served as the Royal Family’s summer vacation home since 1852. Originally purchased by Prince Albert, Balmoral remained one of Queen Elizabeth II’s favorite residences throughout her reign. The Queen relished leisurely strolls through its lush grounds, with Balmoral providing a sense of normalcy.
Free from the constraints of formal ceremonies, Balmoral hosted lively family barbecues and picnics. Images of the royals fishing, riding horses, and walking the estate’s dogs present a relatable human side. Even the castle’s interior decor revealed Her Majesty’s private tastes, with tartan fabrics and hunting trophies reflecting her Scottish heritage.
Sandringham Estate, the Windsors’ Norfolk country home, offered similar respite. Christmas provided rare opportunities for Elizabeth to gather extended family under one roof. Footage of royals chatting while embarking on the estate’s traditional pheasant shoot helped demystify them.
Tucked away in the English countryside, Anmer Hall represents a new generation’s retreat. A wedding gift to William and Kate, this Georgian manor underwent extensive renovations to accommodate family life. Its bucolic setting provided a sense of normalcy as they raised young Prince George away from the public eye. Images of George playing in the garden offered a glimpse at the down-to-earth childhood his parents strove to provide.
Fit For A King: Exploring the Opulent Sets and Filming Locations of The Crown - Following the Royal Newlyweds at Ely Cathedral
Ely Cathedral holds special distinction, with its magnificent gothic arches forming the backdrop for royal newlyweds beginning their lives together. Step inside this 12th century cathedral, and you’ll discover the rich heritage of royal unions celebrated within its hallowed halls.
In 1923, the wedding of Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon to Prince Albert, Duke of York was a public affair of great excitement. Over 1,000 guests gathered in the cathedral to witness the future Queen Elizabeth and King George VI exchange vows before the Archbishop of Canterbury. Given the royal groom’s status as second in line to the throne, immense media coverage documented the historic event. Newspapers and newsreels offered the public an up-close look at the beaming newlyweds.
Nearly a century later, the 2011 marriage of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge to Catherine Middleton unfolded under similar public scrutiny. Over a billion viewers worldwide tuned in to witness the college sweethearts wed at Westminster Abbey. Yet one year prior, Ely Cathedral had hosted a more intimate gathering as venue for the couple’s low-key evening rehearsal dinner. Despite William’s future role as heir to the throne, he and Kate were able to share laughs and wedding jitters with their closest loved ones within the cathedral’s ancient walls.
Through special access footage, we’re able to follow in the footsteps of these royal newlyweds. Walking along the elevated Galilee porch, you can envision the bridal parties gathering here moments before their processions down the central nave. Stand before the elaborately-carved choir screen, and imagine the nerves coalescing as the expectant groom awaits his bride’s arrival from the cathedral’s Great West Door. Stroll through the octagon tower, and envision the joyful newlyweds stealing a private moment here together amid the revelry.
Fit For A King: Exploring the Opulent Sets and Filming Locations of The Crown - Majestic Scottish Backdrops for Royal Romance
Beyond affairs of state, the windswept wilds of Scotland have offered an escape for royal couples seeking privacy amid majestic backdrops. Free from prying eyes, these grand natural settings provided space for romance to blossom and royal relationships to deepen away from the public glare.
For Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, Balmoral Castle’s remote Scottish location fostered a retreat for their family. They shared picnics on the moors and bracing walks through heathered slopes. Clad in tweeds and woolens, they relished the simple pleasures of time spent together surrounded by nature’s splendor. Even into their advanced years, images of the couple strolling arm-in-arm captured their enduring bond, with the rugged Highland vistas reflecting lives entwined.
Scotland also kindled the flame of romance for the Queen’s sister, Princess Margaret, and her future husband, photographer Anthony Armstrong-Jones. Their relationship was sparked during a weekend visit to Balmoral in 1959 after taking a private walk along the banks of the River Dee. For the artistic and adventurous couple, the untamed Scottish landscape fueled their passions. The wild terrain of Royal Deeside proved the perfect escape from royal protocol, allowing their affections to take root and grow.
A generation later, those same glens and lochs formed the backdrop for Prince William’s courtship of Kate Middleton during their time together at the University of St Andrews. Rugged coastal views at the edge of town offered space for emotional connections to form and a sense of normalcy. Hiking hand-in-hand in the heathered hills surrounding the village opened the door for intimacy, away from ever-present paparazzi flashes.
Even after leaving the university, Scotland remained their romantic haven. Within the isolation of the moors and mountains, William and Kate were able to sneak in private getaways relatively undisturbed. Cottages on the Queen’s Balmoral estate became the setting for William to deepen bonds and cultivate the foundational elements that allowed their relationship to go the distance.
When it came time to pop the question in 2010, William chose the seclusion of a lodge in Kenya’s Rutundu Lake. But afterwards, the couple escaped to celebrate their engagement with total privacy at an estate in the Scottish Highlands. Free from mediamayhem, they shared an intimate dinner and wine beside a glowing fire, toasting the exciting new chapter in their lives.
Fit For A King: Exploring the Opulent Sets and Filming Locations of The Crown - Royal Yacht Britannia: At Sea with the Windsors
For over 44 years, HMY Britannia served as the floating royal residence of the British monarch, sailing over 1 million miles around the globe on behalf of the Royal Family. Decommissioned in 1997, the Britannia now rests permanently berthed as a tourist attraction in Edinburgh, offering a unique porthole into life at sea with the Windsors.
Stepping aboard, it quickly becomes apparent why Elizabeth II considered Britannia "the one place I can truly relax." Despite its grandeur, Britannia fostered an air of maritime coziness and nautical informality. We can easily envision the Queen retreating here, strolling the teak decks with bare feet and hair blowing in the sea breeze. Even the State Apartments feel warmer and more inviting than the stuffy formality of landlocked palaces.
Throughout, personal mementos of royal family life humanize the experience. Cameras clicked away on the Sun Deck where Prince Charles and Diana took in vistas during their honeymoon cruise. Peer into the ship’s public rooms, and you’ll gain insight into Her Majesty’s duties abroad, with gifts from foreign dignitaries lining the shelves.
Poke around the crew’s quarters, and you’ll discover the challenges of life at sea. The non-commissioned seamen's mess hall and cabins offer a sobering contrast to the lavish State Rooms. Down in the engine room, the sheer scale and complexity of powering this floating city becomes apparent. Every aspect of daily living happened on board, with the yawning hull encasing an entire self-sufficient community.
Despite cramped crew conditions, those who served aboard speak fondly of their time with the Royals. There’s a sense that life at sea fostered deeper connections, allowing the monarch to share treasured moments of normalcy with her family and subjects. Sailors chuckle recalling Prince Philip’s penchant for barbequing on the aft deck and joining the crew in maritime sing-alongs.
Fit For A King: Exploring the Opulent Sets and Filming Locations of The Crown - Grand Locales for State Dinners and Politics
Within the confines of lavish banquet halls, golden trappings of royalty mixing with suited politicians, the true business of the monarchy unfolds through delicately choreographed rituals of state dinners. Scenes set against such opulent backdrops provide delicious insider glimpses into the soft power brokered over multicourse meals.
Buckingham Palace's Ballroom, with its soaring ceilings, sparkling chandeliers, and gilded detailing, sets the stage for formal receptions when foreign heads of state come to call. In rigid adherence to tradition, arrival ceremonies unfold on the Grand Staircase, presided over by suites of armor. Handshakes are strategic, with their exact placement dictating degrees of respect between leaders. Practiced pleasantries get exchanged, but it is behind palace doors where true influence gets exerted.
At precisely eight o'clock, enveloped in tiaras and medals of office, elaborate processions glide into epicurean theatrics. Complex place settings and French service etiquette ratchet up the intimidation factor. Multiple glasses and cutlery flanking ornate menu cards bearing royal crests signal important affairs underway. We can imagine tense smiles peppered between stiff small talk across the sprawling horseshoe-shaped table, each course allowing relationships to marinate.
Deals take shape over sips of wine imported from royal estates, bonds brokered over bites of nervously nibbled caviar-topped blini. Loosened by Cotes du Rhone, common interests get discussed between courses, consorting made convivial by generous pours of aged port.
Fit For A King: Exploring the Opulent Sets and Filming Locations of The Crown - Castles and Palaces of Ascending to the Throne
From the earliest days of rule, the brick and mortar of castles and palaces have shaped the ascension stories of monarchs in profound ways. More than merely settings, these structures actively influenced the consolidation of power at pivotal transition points. Progressing through their storied rooms provides insight into how shrewd rulers strategically utilized architecture to legitimize their claims.
Windsor Castle perhaps best encapsulates the interplay between sovereigns and strongholds. Sprawling over 13 acres, Windsor remains the longest-occupied palace in Europe, having served English and British kings and queens since William the Conqueror 900 years ago. As each successive monarch stamped their mark through additions and renovations, the castle physically transformed in step with their agendas.
Henry II marshalled Windsor's mighty walls to project dominance in suppressing rebellions after the upheaval of civil war loosened his grasp on the throne. Charles II and George IV embraced lavish Baroque and Gothic Revival styles respectively, their expansive new wings cementing the restoration and regency. Minor tweaks also carried significance, with Elizabeth II installing private apartments to accommodate modern family life. By boldly imprinting their presence into age-old stones, these savvy rulers engrained their legitimacy.
Equally shrewd architectural moves unfolded across the channel at the Palace of Versailles. After ascending to the French throne in 1643, the young Louis XIV strategically abandoned Paris, moving the seat of power outside the capital. This bold act allowed him to shape Versailles as an expression of absolute rule. By centralizing court at Versailles, Louis forced fractious nobles to convene at his pleasure, bending them to his authority through imposed proximity.
Sumptuous accommodations appeased nobles while emphasizing the Sun King’s preeminence. Within Versailles’ glittering Hall of Mirrors, reflected splendor projected an aura of dominance. Louis essentially built a gilded cage, using beauty to disarm rivals and compel obedience through architectural magnificence. Versailles became synonymous with the Sun King’s consolidated authority.