The Queen’s Palaces

Perfect gift
Bought this for an English woman living in the states and she said it was a perfect memory lane gift!

I like the introduction by the Prince of Wales
I watched this during the three weeks that it was on PBS and thoroughly enjoyed it. I had the pleasure of touring Buckingham Palace 4 years ago and when you walk up the staircase before you enter the Throne Room and look down and then look up, all you can say is “Wow!”. I thought that he introduction by the Prince of Wales at the beginning was a nice touch because he would be as familiar with the as anyone else would.

A Missed Opportunity
While it was a thrill to see the inside of these palaces once again, this DVD could have covered more ground (making it even more interesting) by either extending the length of the individual features or cutting out Fiona Bruce whose bad strappy sandals with wooden (?) heels began to get on my nerves. Ah, yes, but our wee Fiona is a star, ennit? And she’ll not let us forget it neither. Shots of Fiona tramping the grounds, swishing along the corridors, grandly pushing through the mirrored interior doors, and (twice) opening the front doors to Buckingham Palace like she lived there both made me cringe and wasted valuable reel time. The only interesting traipsing incidents were when she picked her way underground to the river Tyburn beneath Buckingham Palace and when she followed the secret stairway at Windsor. Oh, and did I mention that she takes up reel time by rendering a reedy version of a Mendelssohn duet? Och! All this Fiona business is meant to make the documentary more human and less dry, but I found it an intrusion. I would have preferred a floating camera through these fairy tale palaces like I was discovering them by myself. Fiona could’ve done voice-over and rare brief interviews.This DVD shows us a bare dusting of these three great palaces, and tosses in a few interesting facts, but omits some really fascinating bits, so the tours seem a bit fluffy, but they’re better than nothing at all! I, for one, would’ve loved a peek into the private living quarters, but I don’t think anyone is permitted that.When I visited Holyrood House I was amazed at the small size of the living chambers of Mary, Queen of Scots, who was herself a tall woman. I suppose it made heating more efficient. During his murder, Rizzio was dragged down a short flight of stairs to a large chamber in which Mary used to receive delegates, and the floorboards there feature a sizable blood stain rumored to be his. This room now houses works of art, among which are two small but intriguing portraits: one of Anne Boleyn, and one of her sister, Mary, hanging in this gallery presumably because Anne’s daughter, Elizabeth I, was a cousin to Mary of Scots. I wonder these two works of rare art aren’t shown more often in textbooks because the bewitching and playful smiles on the lips of the dark-haired sisters, coupled with their snapping dark eyes, make them look for all the world like really fun people to know and not so stupid either. No wonder Henry VIII was attracted to them.At St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, Fiona took us into the Choir stalls and while omitting mention of it, strode over the in-floor tomb of no less an historical personage than Henry VIII and his favorite wife, Jane Seymour. (Bending down to touch that tombstone gave ME chills of awe.) Inside the castle proper, among the great art works is a full length portrait of Mary Queen of Scots often used in textbooks and biographies. Since there weren’t many portraits painted of her, it might have been interesting to see this one.As for Buckingham Palace, the gilt work is overpowering in real life, and I was told it’s kept up by a full-time team who start at one end of the palace and work through room by room until they reach the end, then go back and start again. Amazing.Remember, the Queen is in Scotland in August so Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle are open for tours in her absence. I managed to go through Holyrood House in September. These are buildings well worth seeing in person.

Ok if edited parts out
If they focused exclusively on the palaces architecture, phases, past with save existing pieces of the actual buildings instead of those moments she wonders off to Venice at one point to talk about Canaletto it would be better. The buildings are amazing and the “brain” piece of art at Windsor was off point. Of all the pieces in the royal collection that is what they featured?!

I am a fan of the royal family and take an interest in anything like that is produced.The documentarie(s) give a good insight into what each of the palaces are like, whilst not being too over board at the same time. (If you want to know more you will need to go and look it up).Would recommend for anyone who is interested in history and around the particular subject area….

The DVD is excellent. The host takes you through the palaces’ main rooms and gives a history of the palace as well. The main features are shown and then some lesser known facts and features are discussed. In summation, it is a worthwhile purchase.