The Royal Family may reside in grand palaces, yet a glimpse inside often reveals surprisingly modest elements.

Take, for instance, the late Queen Elizabeth’s choice of a simple two-bar electric heater in her Buckingham Palace living area, more akin to something from the sitcom “Rising Damp” or a student’s humble abode than a royal residence.

In contrast, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have embraced the latest in interior design. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have transitioned from the quaint charm of Nottingham Cottage to a contemporary style in their Montecito home, featuring modern furniture and chic Los Angeles artwork.

Meanwhile, despite her polished image at official events, Princess Anne’s personal space reflects a relatable touch of reality, filled with books and assorted keepsakes, much like any other household.

Whether it’s a blend of classic elegance or modest living, can you match each member of the Royal Family to their unique home style?

Test your knowledge with our quiz below.

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ANSWERS

1. Princess Anne, Gatcombe Park

Princess Anne, 75, shared a glimpse inside her very suburban living room filled with sweet family photos and dozens of books and trinkets at her Gatcombe Park home in Gloucestershire in 2021.

Sitting alongside her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, 70, the pair were snapped watching the Scottish Rugby team, who won the Calcutta Cup after beating England 6-11 at the time. 

As well as pictures of Princess Zara’s 1981 christening, the room also had dozens of books, including two coffee table tomes on animals and photos of her son Peter Phillips as a child, as well as paintings from the countryside and porcelain animal figurines. 

2. King Charles, Balmoral Castle 

King Charles’s Scottish residence, Balmoral Castle, is often enjoyed by all of the Royal Family. 

Located in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, members of the Firm, including Charles, will often spend their summer break in the lavishly decorated royal abode.

Balmoral, which is approximately part of a 50,000-acre estate, was thought to be Queen Elizabeth’s favourite residence. The last picture of the late monarch was taken just days before her death in September 2022 at her Scottish home. 

Dressed in sage green sofas, historic paintings and stylish lamps, it is certainly one of the more plush properties. 

3. Charles, Highgrove House  

Highgrove House, built between 1796 and 1798, is the private family residence of Charles and Camilla and is located near Tetbury in Gloucestershire. 

When he acquired the property in 1980, it was described as possessing ‘little more than a neglected kitchen garden, an overgrown copse, some pastureland, and a few hollow oaks’.

However, since his time there, much work has been completed to make into a must-see house, with the gardens welcoming up to 40,000 visitors a year. 

Charles is pictured sitting in his living room two years after he obtained Highgrove.

4. Charles, Windsor Castle

In summer 2020, Queen Elizabeth was seen in Windsor Castle during a documentary about Princess Anne released at the time, giving the public an insight into her private apartments.

Personal photos are in the background, along with candle holders on the mantelpiece, an ornate wall mirror, heavy gold curtains, and a settee with floral upholstery. 

As Windsor Castle belongs to the Crown Estate, it means it belongs to whoever is monarch for however long they rule, meaning it is currently owned by King Charles.

5. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Nottingham Cottage

Harry lived at Nottingham Cottage in 2013, with Meghan joining him in 2017. 

Despite being set within the grounds of Kensington Palace in central London, the modest two-bedroom home has a surprisingly rustic, countryside feel to it.

Images from their Netflix docuseries show Nottingham Cottage’s cosy rooms and low ceilings.

In the show, Meghan points out that the living space was far from expansive, saying: ‘Kensington Palace sounds very regal, of course it does, it says “palace” in the name. But Nottingham Cottage was so small.’

Describing the home, she added: ‘People thought we lived in a palace and we did. Well, a cottage in a palace.’

Harry said: ‘The whole thing is on a slight lean, [with] really low ceilings. So I don’t know who was there before but they must have been very short.’

The cottage’s decor is informal, with images from the programme showing unexpectedly down-to-earth touches, like Harry relaxing on the modest sofa with one of the couple’s beloved pooches in the living room.

6. Zara and Mike Tindall, Hallery House in Cheltenham

Hallery House in Cheltenham was where former rugby star Mike Tindall announced his engagement to Zara, Princess Anne’s daughter.

The couple eventually sold the luxury Regency villa in 2013 after they wed in July 2011. 

The stunning white Grade II-listed townhouse is set out over four floors and has 4,941sq ft of accommodation. 

7. Sarah Ferguson, Royal Lodge 

Before the former Duke and Duchess of York were evicted from the Royal Lodge, Sarah Ferguson showed royal watchers the inside in a series of YouTube videos filmed during the pandemic. 

Behind her is a window showing a vast outside space and much greenery, which could be the 21 acres that surround Royal Lodge.

8. Charles and Camilla, Clarence House 

Clarence House in central London and was built between 1825 and 1827. 

King Charles, who grew up in the property before his mother became Queen in 1953, moved back in 2003, following the death of the Queen Mother a year before.

The Morning Room might be one of the famous rooms of the abode, having been used as the set of several royal family functions, including the christenings of Prince George in 2013 and Prince Louis in 2018.

9. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Montecito

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped down as senior working royals in 2020 and relocated to the US, settling in Montecito.

During the Heart of Invictus Netflix documentary, Harry shared a glimpse into his home life, after he was seen sitting in his office, which had a statement plant, a giant jute rug and a set of family photos on his desk.

On the rustic fireplace behind Prince Harry is a portrait that fans of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have seen before.

In September 2020, just months after the couple had started their new lives in Montecito, the framed print entitled ‘I Love You, California’ made its first appearance as the Duchess of Sussex joined a Zoom meeting to launch her sell-out Smart Set collection.

Nearly three years on, the print – featuring a bear holding a California banner – still takes pride of place, propped on the mantelpiece. The title of the work is the anthem of her home US state. Published in 1913, the tune was adopted by the Sunshine State in 1951 and confirmed in 1987 as its official song.