After the palace in Whitehall was destroyed the sovereigns made their residence chiefly at St. James Palace, which stands on the north side of St. James Park. This building has many remarkable historical associations - originally a leper's hospital, Henry VIII., obtained possession of it and demolished the old buildings and laid out an extensive park. Its gatehouse and turrets were built for Henry the Eighth from plans by Holbein.
Queen Mary died at St. James Palace, and in its chapel Charles I. attended service on the morning of his execution, and walked from the palace through the park, guarded by a regiment of troops, to Whitehall to be beheaded.
General Monk lived here while he planned the Restoration of Charles II, and King William III. first received the allegiance of the English nobles here in 1688, but it was not used regularly for state ceremonies until Whitehall Palace was destroyed by fire. From this official use of St. James Palace comes the title of "The Court of St. James." - the Royal Court is still formally based there and all foreign ambasssdors are still accredited to the Court of St. James's and it is from here that the announcement is proclaimed when a new Monarch accedes to the throne.
Queen Anne, the four King Georges, and William III. resided in the palace, and in its chapel Queen Victoria was married, but she only held court drawing-rooms and levees there, using Buckingham Palace for her residence.
Queen Mary I (sister of Elizabeth the First and eldest daughter of Henry the Eighth) is buried with her sister in Westminster Abbey but her heart is buried in the Chapel Royal within the Palace. It was in this Chapel Royal, that Diana, Princess of Wales lay until the night before her funeral.
It is the London residence of the Princess Royal.
The red brick Tudor gatehouse survives on the north side and is guarded by the Household Cavalry - the crowds are usually less dense here if you want to watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony.
The Queens Chapel, built by Inigo Jones is across the road from the Palace and is open to the public at selected times. There is no public access to the palace.
