HRH Princess Mary, the Princess Royal & Harewood House, Leeds

The 8th Earl of Harewood, David Lascelles






Harewood Church

Plaque to HRH Princess Mary and her husband the 6th Earl.












































THE OLD LIBRARY







THE CHINA ROOM










Princess Mary's Wedding painted by Frank O Salisbury


The 6th Earl of Harewood, husband to Princess Mary







THE STATE BED









THE SPANISH LIBRARY








THE LIBRARY




THE ROSE DRAWING ROOM







THE CINNAMON DRAWING ROOM




Lady Harrington by Joshua Reynolds

THE EAST BEDROOM



THE ROYAL CONVENIENCE!! Note the cypher of 'M' or Mary on the tiled floor below












THE GALLERY





THE DINING ROOM





THE MUSIC ROOM






THE ENTRANCE HALL




The 3rd Earl of Harewood. Below the painting is the medal he received at the Battle of Waterloo













THE TERRACE GARDENS




'Orpheus'








An unusual way to build a shed!!!





















The costune worn in the BBC Drama (2015) 'The Scandalous Lady W - who's portrait hangs in the Cinnamon Room. 







The Buddhist Stupa in the Grounds





Stepping Stones



THE KITCHENS



A TURTLE SHELL!!!



Princess Mary;s Riding Outfit






































My 2016 visit to Harewood House, Leeds: Once home to Royalty!

HRH Princess Mary, the Princess Royal, was married to the 6th Earl of Harewood, and made this stately home her own home until her death in 1965. Today her Grandson, the 8th Earl, 
David Lascelles (top image) is the keeper of these great memories.

Firstly, I visited the Church, where the Earls, and Princess and Lascelles family are buried. Their resting place is in the private family Vault in the Church, but visitors can see plaques in the church in memory of those who have died, and also walk around the churchyard. 

At the Altar there is a Sanctuary Rail given by Princess Mary in memory of her father, King George V. There are also some amazing Alabaster Tombs dating from 1419!!

As you enter the House you are immediately struck by its beauty. Ceilings that are ornately carved, the finest furnitiure and collection of paintings. What also strikes you is that this is a family home. Scattered on tables and desks are intimate family photographs of the private memories the Lascelles family are sharing with visitors. Particularly poignant are those of the late 7th Earl, with his children and grandchildrem.

Princess Mary's life is celebrated with some of her belongings on display, and also some truly beautiful portraits, such as the one from her wedding day, painted by Frank O Salisbiury. 
There is a 'Below Stairs' exhibition that has her ATS uniform and Riding outfit on display, along with other mementoes connected with her life and royal duties. 
Famously the little Tin boxes sent to soldiers in the 
First World War. Some are displayed.

The rooms are stunning, and have been recently used as locations for the ITV1 Drama 'Victoria' on the early life of Queen Victoria. Next year, 2017, the house will be exhibiting costumes from the series.

The Famous Gardens, and the Terrace added by Sir Charles Barry are breathtaking. The feature is a statue of Orpheus, with a leopard on his shoulders, sculpted in 1984. Also at Harewood is the wonderful Bird Garden, now with a small zoo-farm added, and of clourse the penguins, and by the lake there are Flamingo's.

Well worth a visit..........


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Harewood House

HRH Princess Mary Some of Princess Mary's hats All Saint's Church, Harewood The Penguin Pool The Stupa A Heron having a moment to hi...