We’re certain that even the least enthusiastic film buffs can guess that whenever a film or television series is filmed in ‘Buckingham Palace’ it obviously isn’t filmed in the real Buckingham Palace.
Can you imagine if directors from all over the world were actually allowed to film in the historic building? The Queen might have come face to face with the actors playing her!
So what building does the film industry use as the Queen’s Central London home? It is none other than her next door neighbour, Lancaster House.
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The Grand Staircase of Lancaster House could easily pass for Buckingham Palace
Lancaster House was formerly known as ‘York House’ when it was commissioned in 1825 by King George III’s son, Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany. It later became a hub of social and political life throughout the 19th century.
It was only a shell at the time of the Duke’s death and was the last great London mansion to be built in a Georgian style.
It was then bought and completed by the 2nd Marquess of Stafford- later the 1st Duke of Sutherland- who renamed it Stafford House.
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Being only just a six minute walk from Buckingham Palace and even closer to other royal homes, such as Clarence House and St James’s Palace, royals were no strangers to the house.
Queen Victoria visited the house when it was owned by her close friend, the 2nd Duchess of Sutherland. Upon entering the Queen is said to have remarked, “I have come from my house to your palace”.
The house’s interiors are ornate and are famously similar to Buckingham Palace. It was renamed to its current Lancaster House in 1912.
Olivia Colman played Queen Elizabeth in The Crown, which was shot at Lancaster House
(Image: AP)
So which films have been shot there? Most recently- and notably- Netflix’s ‘The Crown’ has used the house for the four previous seasons, as well as for the upcoming seasons five and six.
Through the award-winning series, we see rooms such as the Grand Hall, the Long Gallery and the State Drawing Room.
The Crown was not the first production to use the historic building as Buckingham Palace’s doppelgänger.
In 2009, ‘Young Victoria’, starring Emily Blunt and Rupert Friend, used Lancaster House for their film- which was produced by Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York- about the early reign of Queen Victoria.
Colin Firth played King George VI in The King’s Speech (2010)
Colin Firth and Helena Bonham-Carter took to the stage next for their 2010 Oscar-winning picture ‘The King’s Speech’ which chronicles the struggles faced by the stuttering King George VI as he unexpectedly becomes the king.
Other productions to use the building include ‘Downton Abbey’ (2013) and ‘King Ralph’ (1999).
Lancaster House is now owned by the Government and is used for political conferences and garden parties.
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