Inside Prince Charles & Camilla’s lavish Clarence House library with Chinese snuff boxes & a portrait of the young Queen
THE DUCHESS of Cornwall has given fans a sneak peek inside the pristine library at Clarence House, where she lives with Prince Charles.
Camilla, 72, was seen pictured in the couple’s official London residence during the recording of her BBC 5 Live show, which aired yesterday.
The opulent room is often used for official engagements, and the public can actually tour round it when the house is open for visitors.
Like with many royal homes, the room is packed full of interesting treasures, from portraits to old trinkets.
One highlight is a Chinese snuff bottle that was given to the royal family as a Christmas present in 1914.
Here, we explore the library’s hidden wonders and the stories behind them…
1. Portrait of Princess Elizabeth (1948)
Hanging on the wall is a photo of the Queen as a young woman, a year after she married the Duke of Edinburgh at Westminster Abbey.
It dates back to 1948 when she was known as Princess Elizabeth, and was completed by Russian artist Savley Sorine by request of her mother.
She can be seen wearing a white chiffon decollete dress, with a blue sash around her waist.
2. Pair of gilded bronze candelabra (1770-90)
A sparkly addition to the room can be seen with two ornate gilded bronze candelabras, which date back between 1770 and 1790.
Each candelabra has four lights and a bauster shaft.
According to archive information from the Royal Collection Trust, the bronze candelabras have detailing of acanthus scroll branches.
3. Pair of display cabinets with gilt bronze detailing & 4. Chinese snuff bottle
One of the most interesting parts of the room is a gilt bronze cabinet which houses a Chinese snuff bottle.
It is carved with a flowering peony bush and has a coral stopper.
This trinket was said to have been given to the royal family as a Christas present in 1914 by aristocratic humanitarian Lady Paget, who later died in 1958.
The cabinets themselves have beautiful detailing, with stylised leaves in a “u” shape above the glass doors.
5. Open armchair (1813) & 6. Carved and gilded wood stool (1828)
The eye-catching red silk armchair is one of a set of seven purchased from Tatham, Bailey and Saunders.
The company was founded in the 1780s and was responsible for supplying furniture to the Royal Pavilion and the Prince Regent's household.
The chairs add a vibrant splash of colour to the room, and match the damask stool underneath.
This was given to King George IV between 1827 and 1829 to be used in his newly built apartments at Windsor Castle.
The stool features carved wood with lion paw feet, and there is a second stool placed under the matching armchair.
7. Portrait of the Duchess of York, the future Queen Mother (1923)
A very sentimental painting seen on the wall is that of Charles’ beloved grandmother, the Queen Mother.
It was completed in 1923, which was the year she became the Duchess of York after marrying her husband the Duke of York, later King George VI.
She is seen in her 20s seated in an armchair holding white gloves, with a straw hat hanging from her arm.
It was possibly commissioned by the Queen Mother, and was done by Russian artist Savley Sorine, who trained at the Imperial Academy of Fine Arts in St Petersburg.
8. Display table (1777-80)
This attractive table certainly stands out in the room, and dates back to the late 1770s.
It was made as part of a pair by William Gates and is thought to have stood in the apartment of the future George IV.
It could once have had a marble top, but now has glass to display various items in the Clarence House library.
9. Landscape with a Large Tree, signed and dated 1780
Another beautiful painting shows a country scene painted by artist John Taylor.
It is one of 18 shots that were given to King George IV by the artist's son, Dr J Taylor, in 1822.
The focal point of the painting is a large tree in a woodland area, with a viaduct in the background.
10. Garter Installation by Queen Anne, August 4th 1713 (painted 1899)
One of the room’s most striking paintings is an 1899 copy of an original painting that is dated to the 1720s.
It is thought to be the Chapter of the Order of the Garter held by Queen Anne at Kensington Palace, on 4 August 1713.
Typically the ceremony is held at Windsor Castle, but took place at Kensington Palace here due to Queen Anne’s ill health.
In the painting, the Queen is sat under a green canopy and is seen touching the hand of a kneeling Knight of the Garter.
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