Palace of Westminster - House of Parliament

The Palace of Whitehall, located in Westminster, served as the primary residence of English monarchs from 1530 until much of it was destroyed by fire in 1698. Though most of the palace is gone, the Banqueting House, designed by Inigo Jones in 1622, survived. Today, the area where the palace once stood is still called Whitehall and remains central to the British government.

At its peak, Whitehall was the largest palace in Europe, with more than 1,500 rooms. It even surpassed the Palace of Versailles for a time, covering 23 acres from Northumberland Avenue to Downing Street, bordered by the River Thames. Originally known as York Place, the palace was acquired by King Henry VIII in 1530 after the downfall of Cardinal Wolsey. Renamed Whitehall, Henry expanded the complex significantly, adding sporting facilities like a bowling green, tennis court, cockfighting pit (where the Cabinet Office now stands), and a jousting tiltyard (now Horse Guards Parade). The palace hosted major events, including Henry’s marriage to Anne Boleyn in 1533, Jane Seymour in 1536, and Henry’s death in 1547.

Whitehall became a centre for royal ceremonies. In 1611, Shakespeare’s *The Tempest* was first performed there, and in 1613, the palace hosted the wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Frederick V of the Palatinate. During James I’s reign, significant additions were made, including the construction of the Banqueting House, completed in 1622. It featured an iconic ceiling by Peter Paul Rubens, which still exists today. The building also witnessed Charles I’s execution in 1649, marking a pivotal moment in British history.

Over time, Whitehall evolved into a sprawling, irregular complex with a mix of architectural styles resembling a small town. Courtiers frequently expanded their lodgings, contributing to its patchwork design. For instance, Stephen Fox, a court official, turned his assigned rooms into a mansion overlooking the Thames. Despite its grandeur, the palace was vulnerable to fire, and its irregular layout only worsened over time.

In 1691, Whitehall had become the largest palace in Europe, but a catastrophic fire sealed its fate just a few years later. In 1698, a fire started in a servant’s room and spread rapidly, burning through the palace for 15 hours. The fire destroyed most of the palace despite Christopher Wren’s efforts to protect key sections. The Banqueting House was saved when bricklayers blocked its windows to prevent the flames from entering, but other iconic parts, like the Holbein Gate, were lost or later demolished.

The fire also claimed many priceless works of art, including Michelangelo’s *Cupid*, Hans Holbein’s mural of Henry VIII, and Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s bust of Charles I. What remained of the palace was largely gone by the 18th century. However, traces of its grandeur still exist today.

Whitehall’s legacy continues through these surviving elements. The Banqueting House remains the most prominent relic, reminding of the palace’s opulence. Other fragments, such as parts of Henry VIII’s tennis courts, have been incorporated into modern government buildings like the Old Treasury and the Cabinet Office.

One of the most interesting remnants is Henry VIII’s Wine Cellar, a Tudor-era brick-vaulted undercroft. Discovered during the construction of the Ministry of Defence building in the 1930s, it was carefully relocated and now sits beneath the MOD building, preserved as a hidden piece of Tudor history.

Though the grand palace is mostly lost, Whitehall’s role in British history remains significant. The area where monarchs once lived is now the heart of British governance, symbolizing the enduring impact of this once-magnificent royal residence.