Curious Cabinets

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?

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.