Inside St James’ Palace – the mansion that could be Prince Andrew’s new home as he’s booted out of Buckingham

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PRINCE Andrew could move into the luxurious St James’ Palace after being booted out of Buckingham.

The disgraced Duke of York would be moving into a mansion that has played host to some of the most important royal events in the last 300 years.

An inside look at St James’ Palace

It was commissioned by Henry VIII and was damaged by fire in 1809

Prince Louis was christened at St James’ Palace in 2018

The Chapel is open to the public

King Charles’ accession to monarch was officially proclaimed at the palace

It is already home to several members of the family and hosts up to 100 receptions for charities each year.

Princess Anne, Princess Beatrice and Princess Alexandra all currently call it their home.

The palace can also put on lavish welcomes to entertain incoming State Visits.

And it plays important ceremonial and constitutional functions. Most notably it holds the Accession Council, which last year proclaimed King Charles as our new monarch.

The Garter King of Arms declared the accession from the Proclamation Gallery overlooking Friary Court.

Other family occasions have also been held in the grounds. Most recently was Prince Louis’ christening in 2018.

Prince William and Princess Catherine’s beaming engagement photos in 2011 were also taken at the Palace.

Meanwhile, extraordinary Brits sometimes travel there to collect their MBEs and OBEs, while adventurous kids will sometimes be presented with Duke of Edinburgh awards there.

The offices of Royal Collection Trust, the Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps, the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood, the Chapel Royal, the Gentlemen at Arms, the Yeomen of the Guard and the Royal Watermen are all also located at St. James’s Palace.

The Palace is years old, having been built mainly between 1531 and 1536 by Henry VIII.

The red brick palace is built in the Tudor style and has four storeys.

Because it is still an official residence, some parts of the palace are kept away from the public – but meetings are often held on the lower floors.

One of the reception rooms where guests are entertained is decorated with a burgundy red carpet with distinct patterns. 

It has matching curtains that are held open by lush gold strings in true royal fashion. 

In keeping with the theme, the wallpaper features an intricate pattern and large paintings hang on the wall. 

The bottom part of the wall is white, with rich gold borders. 

There are massive white doors that feature incredible gold finishings. 

Another reception room is equally as impressive but has a yellow and brown colour scheme. 

One of the most important features of the palace is the Chapel Royal, which has served as the setting for some of the most significant moments in the lives of the royal family. 

Many royal weddings have taken place in the Chapel, including Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s union in 1840. 

Weeks before Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex married Prince Harry in May 2018, she was baptised at the place of worship.

While the Palace is closed off to the public, the chapel is open to fans who can register to attend one of its services.

It sits just around the corner from Buckingham Palace.

For a little over three centuries, St James Palace was the official residence of many monarchs including King George I and King George II.

According to reports, the palace was also used to accommodate the mistresses of the aforementioned Kings.

Henry VIII ordered for the palace to be built in the 1530s and quickly became a favourite of the royal family upon completion.

When King George III became monarch, he found the palace unsuitable and much preferred staying at the nearby Buckingham Palace.

Queen Victoria made Buckingham the monarch’s official residence when she succeeded him.

It comes after Prince Andrew was told he can no longer use the suites at Buckingham Palace.

He once enjoyed sleeping at the Palace with a selection of meticulously arranged cuddly toys.

However all his treasured possessions have been shifted out while renovation takes place — and they will never return now his older brother Charles is King.

Andrew has been told that if he wants to sleep in London he must move into new digs, with nearby St James’s Palace a ­possible option.

Prince William and Princess Catherine took their engagement photos in the palace

Princess Anne, pictured at a Christmas party The Not Forgotten Association, uses the palace as her London residence

It is only a stone’s throw away from Buckingham Palace

Awards are often presented in one of the palace’s lavish rooms

St James’ Palace is an old building that dates back to 1531

St James’ Palace has a number of huge reception rooms

The reception rooms have a burgundy, white, and gold theme

Prince William met the president of Uganda in a yellow reception room there in 2021

Prince Andrew might have to move there after being told to stop using his rooms at Buckingham Palace