70 years in 7 facts: Celebrating the Platinum Jubilee

May 30, 2022 Guest User

As we celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, we thought it only right to share seven of our favourite facts about 116 Pall Mall, the area, and our relationship with the Crown – one for every decade on the throne.

Fit for a King

116 Pall Mall was built on the site of a former palace and once home to the Prince of Wales, prior to his accession to the throne as George IV in 1820. Known as Carlton House and located between Pall Mall and St James’s Park (where 116 is now) the magnificent building was the London residence of George IV from 1783 – 1826, but after becoming King, he decided it was inadequate for his needs. George moved out in 1826 and Carlton House was demolished to make way for 116 Pall Mall and Buckingham Palace was rebuilt, where George IV resided after Carlton House.

2. Timeless tipple

The stunning large iron gates at the entrance to the Champagne Bar, located in the basement at 116 Pall Mall, served as the original doors to the Prince’s wine cellar.

3. One careful owner

When the new building opened in 1828 and became the home to the United Service Club - for the use of senior officers in the British Army and Royal Navy – King George IV donated a breath-taking 15ft Regency chandelier, which still hangs above the main staircase, to commemorate the Battle of Waterloo.

4. Famous friends

In 1940, Exiled Norwegian monarch, King Haakon, regularly meets his officers in the Smoking Room (which has since become the Carlton Room) to plan strategy during World War II. Following the war, Haakon begins the annual tradition of Norway sending a Christmas tree for Trafalgar Square as a thank you gift to the UK.

5. Strike a pose

116 Pall Mall is home to many original Royal portraits throughout the building, including portraits of Her Majesty the Queen, and the late Duke of Edinburgh, located right at the bottom of the grand staircase.

6. Let there be light!

On June 4, 1807, Pall Mall became the first public street in the world to be artificially lit with gas. To celebrate King George III’s birthday, German inventor and Pall Mall resident Frederick Winsor lit up the street on the way to St James’s Palace – now commemorated with a blue plaque outside 100 Pall Mall. Winsor also founded the UK’s first gas company that would later become known as British Gas.

7. Dancing Queen

During the VE Day celebrations, Princess Elizabeth famously decided to ignore formalities and mingled with the crowds across two days to celebrate the end of World War II. The teenage Princess, who became Queen Elizabeth II, kept a diary and wrote, "Sixteen of us went out in the crowd, cheered parents up on the balcony. Up St J’s (St James’s Street), Piccadilly, great fun." The party continued the following day. "Out in crowd again — Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly, Pall Mall, walked simply miles. Saw parents on balcony at 12.30 am — ate, partied, bed 3am!"

Fit for a King