We've said it once and we'll say it again - there's nothing we love more than a good snoop around the inside of a royal family member's home (see: Meghan and Harry's LA mansion for details, and Princess Beatrice's fiancé's swanky family house). This time, we've been treated to a look at a private room in Sandringham House, where Her Majesty spends Christmas.
Although she's been quarantined with Prince Philip at Windsor Castle, and her official residence is usually London's Buckingham Palace, the Sandringham Estate has been a much-loved spot by the royals for years. For two months of the year, the Queen can typically found there (often leaving in early February) – it's a place very close to her heart, as her father King George was both born and passed away in Sandringham House.
Now, the official Sandringham Instagram account (@Sandringham1870) has shared a glorious view of the drawing room – which is just beyond decadent. With traditional cream-coloured walls and classic ornate mouldings, the room feels like stepping back in time.
Honestly, just looking at this picture makes me feel like Marie Antoinette or Queen Victoria could waltz in at any moment. Also, is anybody else now really wishing they had a painted ceiling too? No? Just look at those clouds...
Speaking of Queen Victoria, the caption accompanying the photo reveals what the monarch thought of the room: "Sandringham House remains closed however we are working on plans to safely reopen in the coming months. Until then enjoy a more virtual view. The golden pheasant in the Drawing Room keeps a beady eye from his striking trompe l'oeil ceiling panel perch. Queen Victoria in her journal in 1871 described this room as a 'very long and handsome drawing room.'"
The Instagram account also previously uploaded a shot of the dining room at Sandringham too, showing Spanish tapestries on the wall and sage-coloured walls. The caption explained, "Queen Mary's influence is chiefly still seen in the interior of the House.
Having changed the Dining Room with its heavy mahogany panelling and sideboards to a delicate shade of Braemar green, lifting the whole room making it bright, warm and enhancing the magnificent Spanish tapestries adorning the walls."
A stunning shot of a piano positioned by an enormous window has also been shared in the past, describing the House as being rich in "Victorian and Edwardian decor that was the epitome of style in 1870".
To be fair, if we have a stunning country retreat on offer throughout the winter months, then we'd 100% be heading there too, Queenie.
Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox.
Jennifer Savin is Cosmopolitan UK's multiple award-winning Features Editor, who was crowned Digital Journalist of the Year for her work tackling the issues most important to young women. She regularly covers breaking news, cultural trends, health, the royals and more, using her esteemed connections to access the best experts along the way. She's grilled everyone from high-profile politicians to A-list celebrities, and has sensitively interviewed hundreds of people about their real life stories. In addition to this, Jennifer is widely known for her own undercover investigations and campaign work, which includes successfully petitioning the government for change around topics like abortion rights and image-based sexual abuse. Jennifer is also a published author, documentary consultant (helping to create BBC’s Deepfake Porn: Could You Be Next?) and a patron for Y.E.S. (a youth services charity). Alongside Cosmopolitan, Jennifer has written for The Times, Women’s Health, ELLE and numerous other publications, appeared on podcasts, and spoken on (and hosted) panels for the Women of the World Festival, the University of Manchester and more. In her spare time, Jennifer is a big fan of lipstick, leopard print and over-ordering at dinner. Follow Jennifer on Instagram, X or LinkedIn.
