The Family of Henry VIII (16th century) by British SchoolHistoric Royal Palaces
Hampton Court Palaces has been home to some of the most famous figures in British History. Some you will know and some you may not.
From Henry VIII to Sophia Duleep Singh each has played an important part in the long history of the palace.
Cardinal Wolsey
Thomas Wolsey was a diligent royal servant and statesman. He worked hard to translate King Henry VIII’s dreams and ambitions into reality.
In 1514, Wolsey leased Hampton Court and began transforming it into a magnificent Tudor Palace.
Wolsey fell from favour when he failed to deliver Henry's much desired divorce from Queen Katherine of Aragon.
King Henry VIII
Henry VIII was the second Tudor monarch. His reign saw great change including the break from the Church of Rome and the Dissolution of the Monasteries.
In 1526 Henry acquired Hampton Court from Cardinal Wolsey who was rapidly falling out of favour.
Hampton Court became Henry VIII’s favourite palace. He spent more time here than at any other of his residences during the second half of his reign.
His ambitious building works included new royal apartments, huge kitchens, tennis courts, and the ceiling of the Great Hall.
Queen Jane Seymour
Jane Seymour was the eldest daughter of ten children of Sir John Seymour. She was raised in the family home of Wolf Hall Manor in Wiltshire.
Jane was the third queen consort of King Henry VIII. They married in 1536 following the execution of Queen Anne Boleyn.
All of Henry VIII's queens stayed at Hampton Court Palace.
In 1537 Jane Seymour gave birth to the future King Edward VI in her apartments overlooking Clock Court.
Prince Edward was baptised in the royal chapel. Sadly, Queen Jane died shortly after.
Elizabeth I
Queen Elizabeth I's long reign witnessed some of the most famous events in British History including the destruction of the Spanish Armada in 1588.
Elizabeth I visited Hampton Court many times throughout her life. In 1555 she stayed as a prisoner following the unsuccessful Wyatt's Rebellion.
As Queen, Elizabeth often spent Christmas and New Years at the Palace where she received many lavish gifts.
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was a playwright and poet. He is arguably the most influential writer in the English language.
Shakespeare performed with the 'King's Men' at Hampton Court in 1603. It is likely they performed A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell was a soldier and leader during the English Civil War.
After the execution of Charles I in 1649, Cromwell eventually became Lord Protector in 1653.
Cromwell often stayed at Hampton Court Palace and helped save it from destruction.
King William III and Queen Mary II
William III and Mary II became joint monarchs after the Glorious Revolution and the deposition of James II in 1689.
Soon after their accession to the English throne, William and Mary commissioned architect Sir Christopher Wren to rebuild Hampton Court.
Wren planned to demolish the whole palace and rebuild it in a Baroque style. Fortunately, his budget would not allow it.
Wren's work at Hampton Court includes the spectacular Fountain Court, and the grand South Front. William and Mary also developed the iconic gardens.
Queen Victoria
Queen Victoria was one of Britain's longest serving monarchs. Born and raised at Kensington Palace she became queen in 1837.
Hampton Court Palace was partly opened to the public during the reign of Queen Victoria.
Sophia Duleep Singh
Sophia Duleep Singh was the daughter of Maharaja Duleep Singh and Bamba Müller.
Princess Sophia was a long-time campaigner for Women's Suffrage and women's rights.
In 1896, Queen Victoria gave Sophia Faraday House, then part of the Hampton Court Estate.
Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna
Eldest daughter of Tsar Alexander III of Russia and Empress Maria Feodorovna of Russia.
After the destruction of the monarchy in Russia, Xenia fled to Europe.
The Duchess lived at Wilderness House in the grounds of Hampton Court Palace, where she died in 1960.
Hampton Court Palace was an important witness in the lives of these historical figures, but there are many more who lived and worked here. Find out more about key moments in the Palace's history in A Timeline of Hampton Court Palace's 500-year History.
Looking for more histories and stories? Visit hrp.org.uk to find more royal history.
