Hillsborough Castle: Inside King Charles’ secret £24million sanctuary in Belfast
KING Charles has a string of glittering palaces that he calls home, but he does also have a grand official residence in Northern Ireland, too.
Hillsborough Castle is located in Belfast and boasts around 100 acres of gardens and beautiful interiors.
Despite its name, the impressive dwelling isn’t technically a castle but instead is a large Georgian country home.
It was built in the 18th century for an Irish noble family, but was purchased by the British government in 1922 and now is the official Irish royal residence.
The home may not have a moat or towers, but Hillsborough Castle has a number of extravagant features.
As well as a grand Throne Room with crystal chandeliers – which has been used for the likes of the Queen‘s coronation ball in 1953 – there is also a State Dining Room.
This can be used to serve 40 high-profile guests for dinner or 60 for a formal reception.
The Daily Mail noted the castle also has “well-thumbed Agatha Christie thrillers tucked away above a row of earnest history books; a much-loved, if moth-eaten sofa; and a nice watercolour by the Prince of Wales.”
The splendid mansion has played hosts numerous times to the family, including the Queen staying there 25 times, with her last visit being in 2016 with Prince Philip.
During a 2014 visit, the Queen posed for photographs inside one of the home’s living rooms, which was decorated with yellow wallpaper and cream carpets.
Her Majesty had decorated the walls with a collection of artwork and added features such as two oak armchairs with blue striped cushions and floral curtains.
Other rooms have gold, gilded chairs and large open fireplaces.
King Charles and Queen Camilla visited in the wake of the Queen’s death last year.
The Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly gave a message of condolence during the visit, before Charles spoke of his “personal sorrow” at his mother’s passing.
He went on to describe Hillsborough Castle as the “most fitting” place to meet as his mother knew it “so well”.
Meanwhile, Kate Middleton and Prince William visited in 2016 and attended the Secretary of State’s annual garden party.
The now-Prince and Princess of Wales were photographed in front of the two-storey home, which has an impressive entrance with large steps and a water fountain.
When a monarch is not staying, Northern Ireland’s Secretary of State is able to stay.
Other famous visitors include the Irish rugby team after they won the RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam in 2009, and the players were seen in a drawing room with elaborate golden features.
And political visitors such as George W. Bush, Tony Blair and Rishi Sunak have also visited.
Hillsborough Castle is currently undergoing a five-year, £24million refurbishment project, which started in 2019.
It is being undertaken by British design studio Kinnersley Kent Design, and will involve a new visitor centre being added, along with a shop and dining spaces.
Royal fans are able to visit Hillsborough Castle, including a tour of inside the home and the grounds, for around £20.20 for adults and £10.10 for kids.