KING Charles is making a huge change to his country retreat, Sandringham Estate in time for summer.
In a new announcement that was issued on social media, it has been revealed that the Lower Maze Garden at Charles and Queen Camilla’s second home is officially in development.
In the short clip that was shared on the property’s Instagram account @sandringham1870, followers saw a glimpse of the project.
The caption explained: “Set to adjoin the Topiary Garden which was added to the West Lawn last year, work is now underway to complete the Lower Maze Garden.
“Adding another formal aspect and horticultural dimension for visitors to enjoy, this Garden is due for completion in Summer 2024.
“Thank you to @schooloftraditionalarts @landformuk for their input and assistance with planning and designing.”
HOME FROM HOME
The monarch’s Norfolk base – which was bought as a country home for Edward VII, then Prince of Wales, and his soon-to-be wife, Alexandra of Denmark in 1862 sits upon a 20,000-acre estate.
The Grade II-listed house was then passed down to the late Queen’s father, George VI, in 1900, who passed it onto her.
It was passed on to King Charles, following the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.
It is home to a working farm, sprawling gardens, royal parkland and rental properties, as well as Sandringham House.
It also serves as the Royal Family’s choice of residence each Christmas, with Prince William, Princess Kate, Prince Edward, Sophie Wessex, Princess Anne and more joining King Charles and Queen Camilla at the Church of St Mary Magdalene on December 25.
The Sandringham Estate was also a particular favourite of the late Queen Elizabeth II, who would stay there from December to February each year.
The house and gardens are open to the public during the spring and summer months but the estate is yet to reveal the dates it will be open in 2024.
However, visitors can explore the surrounding Royal Parkland all year round and this also includes the chance to have an afternoon tea in the courtyard.
Who lives in the Sandringham Estate?
None of the Royal Family live permanently at Sandringham Estate.
However, the property has historically been their preferred residence for Christmas and New Year.
In 1957, Queen Elizabeth II gave her first televised Christmas message from the estate.
This came 25 years after the first radio broadcast from the house, made by her grandfather, Edward VIII.
Prince Philip would often stay at Wood Farm, a farmhouse on the grounds of the estate, after retiring from royal duties in 2017.
INSIDE SANDRINGHAM ESTATE
Speaking exclusively to HELLO!, former Royal Butler Grant Harrold explained: “I very quickly became aware that Sandringham was one of the late Queen’s favourite homes and actually, the King loves Sandringham as well.”
Revealing what it’s actually like inside, Grant noted: “It’s quite a strange house. It’s almost going back in time when you walk around it.
“And the fact the family live there… It feels a bit like a museum.”
But the butler even suggested that Sandringham might even be “haunted”, as he added: “I found it one of the most haunted homes if you can imagine.
Set to adjoin the Topiary Garden which was added to the West Lawn last year, work is now underway to complete the Lower Maze Garden
Estate's Instagram Account
“But the weirdest thing that ever happened. I remember one night waking up in my room and without a word of a lie I could see the silhouette of a man at the end of my bed and he was just staring directly at me and I froze.
“I absolutely froze and I wanted to scream and I couldn’t because the king’s bed was underneath me. There wasn’t a panic but there was nothing I could do.”
According to the estate’s website, more than 200 people make their living from the estate, including gamekeepers, gardeners, farmers, as well as workers for Sandringham’s sawmill and its apple juice pressing plant.
The house is a Grade II listed building and the landscaped gardens, park and woodlands are on the National Register of Historic Parks and Gardens.
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Sandringham House & What It's Worth
In 1862, Sandringham was purchased by the Royal Family for £220K.
Fast forward over 160 years, and the impressive property is worth a staggering amount – as of 2024, Sandringham Estate is valued at around £60M.
Prince William and Kate Middleton have a 10-bedroom property on the Sandringham Estate known as Anmer Hall.
It was gifted to them by the late Queen after the royal couple’s wedding in 2011 and was refurbished for £1.5million.
