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| Frogmore House. Image by Karen Roe via Flickr |
1.
Frogmore was first constructed in 1680 after Charles II employed architect Hugh
May to design a house for tenant’s Thomas May (the latter’s nephew) and Anne
Aldworth. It was finished four years later (1684).
2.
It once became the covert residence of Barbara Palmer, 1st Duchess
of Cleveland, the mistress of King Charles II, and their illegitimate child George
FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Northumberland.
3.
The house had been leased to crown tenants for hundreds of years until King
George III bought the abode as a gift for his wife Queen Charlotte in 1792. It
has been considered as Crown property since.
4.
Frogmore used to be a retreat place for all of Queen Charlotte’s unmarried
daughters. The ladies would enjoy doing recreational activities like
needlework, painting, japanning, drawing, as well as “botanizing” as their
mother had a penchant for plants and flowers.
5. Situated on the west side of the gardens is
the Italian inspired mausoleum of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. The former personally
chose the site just four days after the demise of her husband in December of
1861. A.J. Humbert and Professor Ludwig Gruner were appointed as architect and
designer, respectively.
6.
On the west of the house rests the burial chamber of Queen Victoria’s mother,
The Duchess of Kent, who, two years before her death, asked Prince Albert to
have a mausoleum created for her.
7.
Just south of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s mausoleum is the Royal Burial
Ground, which has served as the final resting place for the deceased members of
the Royal Family since its consecration in 1928.
8.
Inside you will find Queen Mary’s flower room, which mirrors her decorative
style and taste, as well as the reputed Black Museum where you can find her
black papier-mache furniture collection.
9.
In order to supplement war rations during World War I, the Royals themselves
went farming and planted potatoes on the grounds of Frogmore.
10.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex had their engagement photos shot by Alexi
Lubomirski in Frogmore!
11.
Frogmore is currently considered an unoccupied residence, though the lavish
place is continuously being used as an events venue.
12. George VI and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother spent their honeymoon in the Frogmore House.
13.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex initially chose Frogmore House as the venue
of their wedding, however their advisers told them to pick a more practical
location.
14.
The house got its name from the abundance of frogs that inhabit its marshy
grounds. Queen Victoria even said once, “The frogs were quite dreadful, making
the grass look as if it were alive."
15. William
Shakespeare did a mention of the infamous house in one of his works, The Merry Wives of Windsor. One of the
scenes is set in “a field near Frogmore”.
For more information about Frogmore House,
visit the Royal Family’s website.
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