Historic Royal Palaces
@hrp-palaces.bsky.social
Six palaces, one charity
and a whole lot of history. 🏰
and a whole lot of history. 🏰
#Onthisday in 1818 Queen Charlotte died at Kew Palace 🏰
Charlotte died surrounded by her daughters Augusta and Mary, the Prince Regent and the Duke of York 🕯️ Her coffin lay in the dining room at Kew, lit by six candles in large silver candlesticks, before being taken to Windsor Castle.
Charlotte died surrounded by her daughters Augusta and Mary, the Prince Regent and the Duke of York 🕯️ Her coffin lay in the dining room at Kew, lit by six candles in large silver candlesticks, before being taken to Windsor Castle.
November 17, 2025 at 1:05 PM
#Onthisday in 1818 Queen Charlotte died at Kew Palace 🏰
Charlotte died surrounded by her daughters Augusta and Mary, the Prince Regent and the Duke of York 🕯️ Her coffin lay in the dining room at Kew, lit by six candles in large silver candlesticks, before being taken to Windsor Castle.
Charlotte died surrounded by her daughters Augusta and Mary, the Prince Regent and the Duke of York 🕯️ Her coffin lay in the dining room at Kew, lit by six candles in large silver candlesticks, before being taken to Windsor Castle.
November 11, 2025 at 9:00 AM
In 1941, the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) took over balloon duties. Despite doubts, they proved tough and capable, operating heavy winches, battling weather, and facing enemy fire 💪 By the end of 1942, 15,700 WAAFs had replaced 10,000 male balloon operators across the UK
📸 (IWM CH 9441) (4/5)
📸 (IWM CH 9441) (4/5)
November 10, 2025 at 4:05 PM
In 1941, the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) took over balloon duties. Despite doubts, they proved tough and capable, operating heavy winches, battling weather, and facing enemy fire 💪 By the end of 1942, 15,700 WAAFs had replaced 10,000 male balloon operators across the UK
📸 (IWM CH 9441) (4/5)
📸 (IWM CH 9441) (4/5)
By 1940, as the Blitz raged, the Tower’s moat hosted a full balloon crew 🔥 They worked through air raids, fires, storms, even surviving a breakaway balloon and a nearby unexploded landmine 💥
📸 A barrage balloon in the West Moat 1940 (3/5)
📸 A barrage balloon in the West Moat 1940 (3/5)
November 10, 2025 at 4:05 PM
By 1940, as the Blitz raged, the Tower’s moat hosted a full balloon crew 🔥 They worked through air raids, fires, storms, even surviving a breakaway balloon and a nearby unexploded landmine 💥
📸 A barrage balloon in the West Moat 1940 (3/5)
📸 A barrage balloon in the West Moat 1940 (3/5)
On 8 Oct 1938, the RAF tested a barrage balloon over the Tower, a striking sign of Britain’s preparations for war.
The “castles of the air” forced enemy aircraft to fly higher, the increased altitude disrupted the aim of attacking planes and made them easier to shoot down during air raids ✈️ (2/5)
The “castles of the air” forced enemy aircraft to fly higher, the increased altitude disrupted the aim of attacking planes and made them easier to shoot down during air raids ✈️ (2/5)
November 10, 2025 at 4:05 PM
On 8 Oct 1938, the RAF tested a barrage balloon over the Tower, a striking sign of Britain’s preparations for war.
The “castles of the air” forced enemy aircraft to fly higher, the increased altitude disrupted the aim of attacking planes and made them easier to shoot down during air raids ✈️ (2/5)
The “castles of the air” forced enemy aircraft to fly higher, the increased altitude disrupted the aim of attacking planes and made them easier to shoot down during air raids ✈️ (2/5)
The Tower of London’s moat has protected the fortress for hundreds of years ⛓️ During the Second World War, it helped protect the city from the sky; with a giant hydrogen-filled barrage balloon 🎈
📸 1939: Balloon over the Tower (ACME / Historic Royal Palaces) 🧵👇 (1/5)
📸 1939: Balloon over the Tower (ACME / Historic Royal Palaces) 🧵👇 (1/5)
November 10, 2025 at 4:05 PM
The Tower of London’s moat has protected the fortress for hundreds of years ⛓️ During the Second World War, it helped protect the city from the sky; with a giant hydrogen-filled barrage balloon 🎈
📸 1939: Balloon over the Tower (ACME / Historic Royal Palaces) 🧵👇 (1/5)
📸 1939: Balloon over the Tower (ACME / Historic Royal Palaces) 🧵👇 (1/5)
Did you know our Yeoman Warders live at the Tower of London? 🏰
When the visitors go home, it’s like a unique village inside our fortress’ walls - the Yeoman Warders even have their own pub called The Keys! 🗝️
When the visitors go home, it’s like a unique village inside our fortress’ walls - the Yeoman Warders even have their own pub called The Keys! 🗝️
November 10, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Did you know our Yeoman Warders live at the Tower of London? 🏰
When the visitors go home, it’s like a unique village inside our fortress’ walls - the Yeoman Warders even have their own pub called The Keys! 🗝️
When the visitors go home, it’s like a unique village inside our fortress’ walls - the Yeoman Warders even have their own pub called The Keys! 🗝️