The Royal Pavilion: The Official Guide to The Palace of King George IV

A beautiful guidebook celebrating the glorious designs and the colourful history of the Royal Pavilion has been published.

Written by David Beevers, the former Keeper of the Royal Pavilion, the new publication shows the stunning Chinoiserie-inspired former Royal palace in new specially commissioned photographs.

The 136-page guide incorporates new research into the exotic building and its collections as well as the history of the building, insights into life in the household during the time of George IV, the Royal Pavilion as an Indian Military Hospital during First World War and a description of the garden and other buildings on the estate.

There is also a focus on Sake Dean Mahomed, George IVs ‘shampooing surgeon’, the lives of the royal servants and the royal household in Brighton and an exploration of the silver and silver-gilt in the Banqueting Room.

Each room open to the public is illustrated in colour with new photographs as well as contemporary prints showing the rooms when complete in 1826.

In addition, the guide book contains a 26-page supplement on the spectacular royal loan of original furnishings returned to the building for a two-year period in 2019 by HRH The Queen. Each loan is illustrated in full and highlights fascinating details which are hard to see with the naked eye.

David Beevers said; “Thanks to the generosity of Her Majesty The Queen, the building looks more magnificent than it has ever looked since it ceased to be used as a royal palace in 1845.

“This new guidebook has been brought up to date with beautiful new photography showing how the Royal Pavilion has been restored over the years including the Saloon. In addition we know lots of visitors want to know more about the many items on loan from the Royal Collection Trust and we have produced a special supplement so fans of the Royal Pavilion can enjoy the items from their own home.”

ISBN: 9780948723865

Author: David Beevers

Pub: Royal Pavilion Libraries & Museums (2020). Paperback: 136 pages.

22 x 24.5 x 1.4 cm