Look inside Houghton Hall, Rose Hanbury and David Cholmondeley's Norfolk estate down the road from Prince William and Kate Middleton

Talia LakritzMar 28, 2024, 16:53 IST

The Yellow Drawing Room in Houghton Hall.Derry Moore

Rose Hanbury and David Cholmondeley live at Houghton Hall in Norfolk.
Built in the 1720s, the 106-room estate is close to Prince William and Kate Middleton's home.

Houghton Hall in Norfolk, England, is home to David Cholmondeley, the 7th Marquess of Cholmondeley, and his wife, Lady Sarah Rose Hanbury.

Amid swirling "Katespiracy" rumors about Kate and William's marriage and Kate's monthslong absence from public appearances, Cholmondeley and Hanbury became the subject of increased public interest in recent weeks due to their friendship with the royal couple.

Kate announced on March 22 that she was diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing preventive chemotherapy.

Take a look inside the historic estate, which has been a center of arts and culture for centuries.

Houghton Hall was built in the 1720s for Sir Robert Walpole, the first prime minister of Britain.

Houghton Hall was built in the 1720s.Angelo Hornak/Corbis via Getty Images

David Cholmondeley, the 7th Marquess of Cholmondeley, took ownership of Houghton Hall in 1990.

David Cholmondeley and Rose Hanbury at Houghton Hall.Derry Moore

In 2014, Cholmondeley co-authored a book with Andrew Moore about Houghton Hall with photography by Derry Moore.

The Yellow Drawing Room in Houghton Hall.Derry Moore

Built in the Anglo-Palladian architectural style, Houghton Hall is adorned with classical elements such as columns, pillars, and Roman statues.

A State Room at Houghton Hall.Derry Moore

The 28,000-square-foot estate features 106 rooms full of priceless art pieces and antique furniture, such as the White Drawing Room.

The White Drawing Room at Houghton Hall.Derry Moore

Houghton Hall's Great Staircase is decorated with an ornate chandelier, detailed molding, and a bronze copy of an ancient statue.

The Grand Staircase at Houghton Hall.Derry Moore

The Green Velvet Bedroom features a bed with a shell headboard referencing Venus, the Roman goddess of love.

The Green Velvet Bedroom in Houghton Hall.Derry Moore

Prince William and Kate Middleton live down the road at Anmer Hall in Norfolk.

Prince William and Kate Middleton walk with David Cholmondeley and Rose Hanbury at a 2016 gala at Houghton Hall.Stephen Pond/Getty Images

Cholmondeley and Hanbury host a variety of events and art installations at Houghton Hall.

Attendees at a charity gala supporting East Anglia's Children's Hospices listen to a speech at Houghton Hall in 2016.Stephen Pond/Getty Images

In 2020, artist Anish Kapoor displayed a collection of outdoor sculptures throughout the estate's gardens.

Artist Anish Kapoor at Houghton Hall ahead of the opening of his largest UK exhibition of outdoor sculptures in 2020.Joe Giddens/PA Images via Getty Images

In 2023, Houghton Hall hosted sculptures, paintings, and sketches by Sean Scully.

A hallway inside Houghton Hall with artwork by Sean Scully in 2023.Pete Huggins

The estate's Stone Hall featured a sculpture made of stacked Murano glass.

"Venice Stack" by Sean Scully inside Houghton Hall in 2023.Pete Huggins

Houghton Hall is open to visitors on select days from April through October.

A wide view of Houghton Hall.Derry Moore

An ultra-luxury cruise line wants travelers to live on its cruise ship for 4.5 months while it sails to 40 countries — for up to $1.7 million a suite

Cookies on the Business Insider India website