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ACTIVITY / CHALLENGE

Curious Cabinets

close up of wooden cabinet decorated with inlaid flowers and birds

There are many cabinets in the Royal Collection – some hold surprising secrets. This decorative cabinet is one of a pair in the White Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace. Can you guess what is special about it?

The cabinet is actually part of a secret door, through which The King enters the State Rooms for special occasions! The huge glass mirror behind the cabinet opens like a gigantic door, and the cabinet moves with it. Can you locate the secret door is in this 360 view of the White Drawing Room?

Image credit: Will Pearson | Eye Revolution

If you could have a secret door in your house, where would you like it to lead to?

This colourful cabinet was designed for George IV’s bedroom, which also served as the King’s bathroom. Based on its shape and the room where it was kept, what do you think the cabinet was used for? It might not look like it now, but this cabinet was once a bathtub! The top could be removed, enabling the King to have a bath in the comfort of his bedroom. It must not have been a very practical or comfortable bathtub, and so it was later converted into an ordinary cabinet.


The income from your ticket contributes directly to The Royal Collection Trust, a registered charity. The aims of The Royal Collection Trust are the care and conservation of the Royal Collection, and the promotion of access and enjoyment through exhibitions, publications, loans and educational activities.