Pictures of St James's Palace

a Palace in the town of London, in the county of Greater London

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About St James's Palace

The origins of St.James's Palace lie deeply rooted in the reign of King Henry VIII, it was the King who started the building of the original palace in the year 1531. Following the destruction of Whitehall Palace, St.James's became the principal London residence of the monarch, even today the tradition of Foreign ambassadors appointed to the Court of St.James still exists.

Still visible above the Gatehouse facing St.James's Street (which is the main remnant of the Tudor building) are the carved initials of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. Another relic from this period is The Chapel Royal, this was greatly altered in 1837, but still retains its original Holbien ceiling. This beautiful chapel has been the scene of several Royal marriages, including those of William III and Mary II, Queen Anne, George IV, Queen Victoria to Prince Albert, and George V.

On the feast of the Epiphany (January 6th) a service is held in the chapel at which an offering of gold, frankincense and myrrh is made on behalf of the Sovereign by two Gentleman Ushers of the Court. St.James's Palace is also where the proclamation of a new sovereign takes place, this is made by the Garter King of Arms from the balcony above Friary Court.

Charles II was born here, when he became King he commissioned Wren to build state apartments facing the park. Several monarchs have been born in these apartments, these include James II, Mary II, Queen Anne and George IV. Prior to Queen Victoria moving the court to the more suitable Buckingham Palace, George IV had employed Nash to redecorate.

Today, St.James's Palace is still considered the senior Royal palace, it contains a magnificent throne room used for state occasions, and the London residences of senior members of the Royal family. Most latterly, the Queens Chapel at St.James's Palace was used as a resting place for the coffin of Her Majesty the Queen Mother, prior to the Lying in State at Westminster Hall.

This is very much a private, living working palace and as such is not open to the public.
Please see below for other recommended attractions and towns to visit near St James's Palace.

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Distances and directions shown below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near St James's Palace

Green Park	(0.1 miles, 0.2 km)	Pictures
Queen Victoria Memorial	(0.2 miles, 0.4 km)	Pictures
Westminster Abbey	(0.2 miles, 0.4 km)	Pictures
The Royal Mews	(0.3 miles, 0.4 km)	Pictures
Buckingham Palace	(0.3 miles, 0.4 km)	Pictures
Royal Institution of Great Britain	(0.4 miles, 0.7 km)	Pictures
Faraday Museum	(0.4 miles, 0.7 km)	Pictures
Admiralty Arch	(0.5 miles, 0.8 km)	Pictures
Trafalgar Square	(0.5 miles, 0.8 km)	Pictures
The Wellington Museum	(0.6 miles, 0.9 km)	Pictures

All attractions in Greater London
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near St James's Palace

Piccadilly in the county of Greater London (0.3 miles, 0.4 km)
One of the Capital's most noted places, Piccadilly sweeps uphill with handsome houses on one side and Green Park on the other.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Westminster in the county of Greater London (0.4 miles, 0.7 km)
Of all the jewels in the City of Westminster, none shines more brightly than Westminster Abbey, stunning setting for the coronation of almost every English monarch since William the Conqueror was crowned there in 1066.
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Mayfair in the county of Greater London (0.6 miles, 0.9 km)
Mayfair has it all, it is the haunt of the rich and famous, with elegant houses and apartment buildings that are the sole province of the wealthy.
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London in the county of Greater London (0.6 miles, 1.0 km)
London is one of the World's most exciting, cultural destinations where visitors can walk with history whilst enjoying all that...
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Marylebone in the county of Greater London (1.1 miles, 1.8 km)
Marylebone is one of London's more affluent area's, it is home mostly to the well to do, and yet only a couple of centuries ago a large workhouse was built here to give shelter to the poor and homeless, often foundlings were discovered on the workhouse doorstep.
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St Pancras in the county of Greater London (1.7 miles, 2.7 km, direction N)
The name of the area is taken from the boy martyred in AD 304. Pancras was the orphaned Christian son of a Phrygian nobleman who was brought up at the court of the Emperor in Rome.
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Chelsea in the county of Greater London (2.1 miles, 3.3 km, direction SW)
Chelsea is a district in London which in recent times gained fame as the 'home' of the 'swinging sixties' . The swinging sixties was defined on the Kings Road, which runs the length of the area and both the Beatles and the Rolling Stones lived here at one time.
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Camden Town in the county of Greater London (2.5 miles, 3.9 km, direction N)
Camden town is a vibrant cosmopolitan region of London.
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Kensington in the county of Greater London (2.5 miles, 4.1 km, direction W)
The attractive Royal borough of Kensington has many special places. Most prominent is Kensington Palace, birthplace of Queen Victoria.
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Notting Hill in the county of Greater London (3.0 miles, 4.8 km, direction W)
This area of London is known throughout the world as the scene of London's biggest annual street party.
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All towns in Greater London
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Green Park Tube Station	(0.3 miles, 0.4 km)
St. James's Park Tube Station	(0.4 miles, 0.6 km)
Charing Cross Station	(0.6 miles, 1.0 km)
Victoria Station	(0.7 miles, 1.1 km)
M1 Junction 1	(6.0 miles, 9.6 km, direction NW)
M4 Junction 1	(6.3 miles, 10.2 km, direction W)
London City Airport	(8.5 miles, 13.7 km, direction E)
London Heathrow Airport	(13.6 miles, 21.9 km, direction W)

Accommodation & Hotels near St James's Palace

Hotel Name
Ritz Hotel	(0.2 miles, 0.4 km)
The Park Lane Hotel	(0.3 miles, 0.4 km)
May Fair Hotel	(0.3 miles, 0.5 km)
Jolly St. Ermin's Hotel	(0.4 miles, 0.6 km)
Crowne Plaza London St James	(0.4 miles, 0.6 km)
The Chesterfield Mayfair	(0.4 miles, 0.7 km)
The Sanctuary House Hotel	(0.4 miles, 0.7 km)
Park Lane Mews Hotel	(0.5 miles, 0.8 km)
Piccadilly Hotel	(0.5 miles, 0.8 km)
Thistle Westminster	(0.5 miles, 0.9 km)
All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts