Throne room

A throne room is the place in either a palace or castle where the throne of a senior figure (usually a monarch) is situated.

A common misconception, is that kings and queens rule their lands seated on a throne for most of the day. In earlier times, this may have been true to certain rulers, but nowadays, they are only used for ceremonial purposes.

Below is a list of notable throne rooms.

UK & Ireland

Buckingham Palace

The throne room, used for court gatherings and as a second dancing room, is dominated by a proscenium arch supported by a pair of winged figures of 'victory' holding garlands above the two thrones (used by HM the Queen and Prince Philip), which are originals from the Queen's coronation in 1953. It is in the throne room that the Queen, on special occasions, receives loyal addresses. Another use of the throne room has been for formal wedding photographs.

Tower of London

Although the Tower of London is still a royal residence, it has not been inhabited since the reign of Elizabeth I in the 1500s, when it became a prison for royal enemies.

Dublin Castle

Located in the Bedford Tower, the throne in Dublin Castle was presented to William III after his victory at the Battle of the Boyne. Last used by George V in 1911, the room is still used for state functions.

France & Monaco

Versailles

The throne was commissioned by Louis XIV and was in use up until 1837, when it became a national museum. As part of the greater Versailles museum, the room is open to the public.

Fontainebleau Palace

Preferring Fontainebleau over Versailles, Napoleon I had Louis XV's bedroom converted into a throne room and it was here that Napoleon abdicated. The palace was last used by Napoleon III when it was later declared a national monument in 1871, after the collapse of the empire.

Prince's Palace, Monaco

For over 700 years, the Grimaldi family have ruled Monaco and it is in this throne room that many historic festivals and ceremonies have taken place since the 16th century. It also where most civil marriages of the royal family occur, before then having a religious ceremony elsewhere.

Germany & Austria

Neuschwanstein

Note that the throne room of this beautiful, dream-like castle does not have a throne in it - the reason being that Ludwig II of Bavaria (its commissioner) did not live to see Neuschwanstein's completion, therefore one was never installed.

Hofburg

Once the seat of the Holy Roman Empire for over 600 years, the Hofburg's throne room now serves as a conference centre, used by the Austrian Congress and for other international events.

Russia

Peterhof

Used by the Tsars of Russia, the dias and throne of the Peterhof dominate the eastern wall with a large picture presenting Catherine II on her horse. The room also holds numerous oil paintings and eleven chandeliers.

Winter Palace

Regarded as the throne of Russia, the throne of St. George's Hall (or large throne room) is set atop the seven-stepped dias with a proscenium arch above and the symbol of the Imperial Family behind (the headed-eagle).

Peter I's Room (the smaller throne room) is modest in comparison to the former. The throne was made for Empress Anna Ivanovna in London and the picture behind displays Peter the Great with Minerva.