Marlborough House

Marlborough House stands on The Mall in St James’s, Westminster, a Grade I listed mansion built in 1711 for Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough. It began as a two-storey brick mansion designed by Christopher Wren and his son, with stonework by Edward Strong the Younger. The Duchess supervised every detail, even dismissing the Wrens and taking control herself. Later owners added a third storey and new ceilings in the 1770s. The house passed to the Crown in the 19th century and became a royal residence for Princess Charlotte, Queen Adelaide, and the Prince and Princess of Wales. The building witnessed key moments in British history. Leopold of Saxe-Coburg was offered the Belgian throne there in 1831. Queen Victoria arranged for the National Art Training School to use the building from 1853 to 1861. King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra made it the social centre of London in the late 19th century. Their son George V was born there in 1865. Queen Alexandra returned after his death, and Queen Mary lived there until 1953, leaving behind a pet cemetery and a rotating summer house. Visitors find a nearly cubical saloon with wall-paintings by Louis Laguerre of the Battle of Blenheim. The ceiling cupola is surrounded by works by Orazio and Artemisia Gentileschi. Paired staircases flank the saloon, and most interiors have been altered over time. The house remains the headquarters of the Commonwealth Secretariat, with a memorial fountain to Queen Alexandra in the grounds.