32 rare photos show what it would be like to self-isolate at Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle

Mikhaila FrielJun 16, 2020, 17:39 IST

The Queen looks out a Buckingham Palace window (left) and the palace's Throne Room (right).Getty Images

The Queen has been self-isolating with Prince Philip at Windsor Castle since the UK went into lockdown in March.
The monarch was in residence at Buckingham Palace when the coronavirus outbreak began in the UK, and the palace later confirmed that a member of her staff tested positive for the virus in March.
It's likely that Her Majesty will remain at Windsor until there's a change in the government guidance.
The monarch left behind live-in staff at Buckingham Palace who are likely self-isolating there.
However, there's no denying that lockdown in a royal palace is a much different experience than what most other citizens across the UK are facing.
These 32 rare photos that show what it would be like to self-isolate in Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle.

Buckingham Palace is the Queen's official London residence, and one of the most-visited tourist attractions in the UK. But this picture taken in March 2020 shows it's been vacant of visitors since lockdown began.

Buckingham Palace in London. Alex Livesey/Danehouse/Getty Images

Buckingham Palace is the Queen's official London residence, and one of the most-visited tourist attractions in the UK. But this picture taken in March 2020 shows it's been vacant of visitors since lockdown began.

The palace has 775 rooms. These include 19 state rooms, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices, and 78 bathrooms.

An aerial view of the palace. Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire/Press Association Images

The Queen usually uses the palace's Blue Drawing Room to host official events, such as this Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 2018.

Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland and Prime Minister Theresa May in the Blue Drawing Room. Getty Images

But since the royal family has canceled all official events for the time being, this is what the room looks like while empty.

The Blue Drawing Room. Getty Images

If members of the royal family or staff were to self-isolate at the palace, they'd have considerably more space to work from home than the regular citizen.

Queen Elizabeth's office. Lisa Sheridan/Royal Lisa/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Here's the Queen — then-Princess Elizabeth — working at her desk back in 1946.

Her Majesty's office at another angle. Lisa Sheridan/Royal Lisa/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

There's also space to relax. Here's the White Drawing Room, which was used for Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding reception in 2011.

The White Drawing Room. Nick Ansell/AFP/Getty Images

There's some unique art — including this portrait of the monarch — in this room.

A portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. Sean Kilpatrick - WPA Pool /Getty Images

Her Majesty often uses the space to address the nation in her annual Christmas Day video speech.

The Queen during her Christmas Day broadcast to the nation. John Stillwell/WPA Pool/Getty Images

There are smaller spaces, such as this private sitting room used by King George and Queen Elizabeth in 1948.

A private sitting room in Buckingham Palace. William Vanderson/Fox Photos/Getty Images

Our current Queen has her own sitting room, which she uses both privately and for welcoming important guests to the palace.

Her Majesty and former UK Prime Minister Theresa May. REUTERS/Dominic Lipinski/Pool

The Buckingham Palace gardens, used by the Queen to host official garden parties every summer, are slightly bigger than most people's backyards.

Buckingham Palace gardens. Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

The palace's Throne Room is used for state banquets, where the Queen hosts world leaders and heads of state ...

The Throne Room. Reuters

... Here's what the table would look like if you opted to dine alone during self-isolation.

The royal dining table. Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images

The Queen initially took up residence at Windsor Castle for the Easter period, but has remained there for the past three months due to government advice.

Windsor Castle in Windsor, England. Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images

Of the 1,000 rooms in the castle, St George's Hall is one of the most photographed.

St George's Hall. Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images

Like Buckingham Palace's Throne Room, St George's Hall is usually used to host official dinners and parties.

The room is transformed when the dining table is set up for guests. Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images

However, there are also smaller spaces to have private family dinners. Here's the Queen, Prince Philip, and their children in their private dining room in 1969.

The royal family. Hulton Archive/Getty Images

The Queen will still be able to work from home while at Windsor. Here she is with her father, King George, in one of the palace's private studies in 1942.

A private study in Windsor. Lisa Sheridan/Studio Lisa/Getty Images

Her Majesty held her weekly audience with the UK Prime Minister at the beginning of lockdown, in what appeared to be her private sitting room.

Her Majesty takes a phone call with Boris Johnson. Getty Images

The Green Drawing Room was used for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's official wedding photo in May 2018.

The royal family at Windsor Castle. Alexi Lubomirski/The Duke and Duchess of Sussex via Getty Images

Here's what the room looks like while empty.

The Green Drawing Room. Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images

Or, if you prefer a brighter interior with some classic paintings on display, there's the Crimson Drawing Room.

The Crimson Drawing Room. Getty Images

If the weather calls for it, there's plenty of open space to sunbathe. The then-Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret would often relax in the gardens during their visits.

The grounds of Windsor Castle. Lisa Sheridan/Studio Lisa/Getty Images

If the weather calls for it, there's plenty of open space to sunbathe. The then-Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret would often relax in the gardens during their visits.

Or, they would get busy with some gardening.

Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret. Getty Images

The palace's Music Room would bring the perfect opportunity for those looking to try a new skill during self-isolation. Here's Queen Elizabeth playing piano there as a teenager.

Princess Elizabeth. Getty Images

The palace's Music Room would bring the perfect opportunity for those looking to try a new skill during self-isolation. Here's Queen Elizabeth playing piano there as a teenager.

The palace's ballroom could double as an art gallery.

The Windsor Castle Ballroom. Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images

If you're looking for a spot to read quietly, the grounds offer plenty of secluded areas. Here's a childhood photo of Queen Elizabeth, Princess Margaret, and the Queen Mother enjoying some quiet time outdoors.

Queen Elizabeth with Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret. Lisa Sheridan/Studio Lisa/Getty Images

If you're looking for a spot to read quietly, the grounds offer plenty of secluded areas. Here's a childhood photo of Queen Elizabeth, Princess Margaret, and the Queen Mother enjoying some quiet time outdoors.

The Queen usually likes to go for walks in Great Windsor Park.

Queen Elizabeth II. Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images

In lockdown, however, Her Majesty has been photographed horse riding instead.

The Queen horse riding in Great Windsor Park in June 2020. Steve Parsons/AFP/Getty Images

The Queen and Prince Philip have been spending time in the castle's quadrangle. Here, they are pictured for the duke's 99th birthday earlier this month.

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh. Press Association

Here's the quadrangle pictured at another angle, when it was used to host the Queen's official birthday parade last week.

The Queen's official birthday parade included a small military ceremony this year. Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

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32 rare photos show what it would be like to self-isolate at Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle

Buckingham Palace is the Queen's official London residence, and one of the most-visited tourist attractions in the UK. But this picture taken in March 2020 shows it's been vacant of visitors since lockdown began.

The palace has 775 rooms. These include 19 state rooms, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices, and 78 bathrooms.

The Queen usually uses the palace's Blue Drawing Room to host official events, such as this Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 2018.

But since the royal family has canceled all official events for the time being, this is what the room looks like while empty.

If members of the royal family or staff were to self-isolate at the palace, they'd have considerably more space to work from home than the regular citizen.

Here's the Queen — then-Princess Elizabeth — working at her desk back in 1946.

There's also space to relax. Here's the White Drawing Room, which was used for Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding reception in 2011.

There's some unique art — including this portrait of the monarch — in this room.

Her Majesty often uses the space to address the nation in her annual Christmas Day video speech.

There are smaller spaces, such as this private sitting room used by King George and Queen Elizabeth in 1948.

Our current Queen has her own sitting room, which she uses both privately and for welcoming important guests to the palace.

The Buckingham Palace gardens, used by the Queen to host official garden parties every summer, are slightly bigger than most people's backyards.

The palace's Throne Room is used for state banquets, where the Queen hosts world leaders and heads of state ...

... Here's what the table would look like if you opted to dine alone during self-isolation.

The Queen initially took up residence at Windsor Castle for the Easter period, but has remained there for the past three months due to government advice.

Of the 1,000 rooms in the castle, St George's Hall is one of the most photographed.

Like Buckingham Palace's Throne Room, St George's Hall is usually used to host official dinners and parties.

However, there are also smaller spaces to have private family dinners. Here's the Queen, Prince Philip, and their children in their private dining room in 1969.

The Queen will still be able to work from home while at Windsor. Here she is with her father, King George, in one of the palace's private studies in 1942.

Her Majesty held her weekly audience with the UK Prime Minister at the beginning of lockdown, in what appeared to be her private sitting room.

The Green Drawing Room was used for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's official wedding photo in May 2018.

Here's what the room looks like while empty.

Or, if you prefer a brighter interior with some classic paintings on display, there's the Crimson Drawing Room.

If the weather calls for it, there's plenty of open space to sunbathe. The then-Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret would often relax in the gardens during their visits.

Or, they would get busy with some gardening.

The palace's Music Room would bring the perfect opportunity for those looking to try a new skill during self-isolation. Here's Queen Elizabeth playing piano there as a teenager.

The palace's ballroom could double as an art gallery.

If you're looking for a spot to read quietly, the grounds offer plenty of secluded areas. Here's a childhood photo of Queen Elizabeth, Princess Margaret, and the Queen Mother enjoying some quiet time outdoors.

The Queen usually likes to go for walks in Great Windsor Park.

In lockdown, however, Her Majesty has been photographed horse riding instead.

The Queen and Prince Philip have been spending time in the castle's quadrangle. Here, they are pictured for the duke's 99th birthday earlier this month.

Here's the quadrangle pictured at another angle, when it was used to host the Queen's official birthday parade last week.