Clarence House Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Mall

The Mall is the road that runs from Trafalgar Square to Buckingham Palace, the official London residence of the monarch. The name is derived from an early game called pall-mall, an early form of croquet.

Regent Street and Oxford Street are better known for being shopping areas, and Downing Street is home to the residences of the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Answer: William IV

William was the third son of George III, who was monarch rather earlier, during the time of the American Revolution. William succeeded his older brother, George IV, on the throne. William IV ruled from 1830 until 1837, and had no surviving legitimate children. He was succeeded by his niece, Victoria.

George IV ruled from 1820 until 1830 and had only one daughter, who died in childbirth in 1817. Edward VII was a twentieth-century monarch.

Answer: St James's Palace

St James's dates from Tudor times, having been built on the orders of Henry VIII. It was used as the official London residence of the monarch until being superseded by Buckingham Palace. It was in St James's that the body of Diana, Princess of Wales, was laid in state prior to her funeral.

Kensington Palace is home to many members of the Royal family, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the time of writing. Lambeth Palace is the official residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Savoy Palace, home of John of Gaunt, was burnt down in 1381 during the Peasants' Revolt.

Answer: Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother

Following the death of her husband, George VI, and the accession of Queen Elizabeth II, the Queen Mum, as she was affectionately known, moved to Clarence House. She lived there from 1953 until her death in 2002 aged 101. Princess Margaret lived with her for a while, but moved to Kensington Palace, which has also housed, at varying times, the other Royal family members listed.

Answer: True

Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught, had been living there but died in 1942. King George VI agreed that the building could be used by both the Red Cross and St John's Ambulance Brigade as their headquarters. This period was during the bombing raids on London, when the services of both organizations were much in demand.

Answer: John Nash

Of the four options, only Nash was alive at the relevant time. He was the prominent architect of the time, with many of the buildings he designed still standing. These include Buckingham Palace, the Haymarket Theatre, which he redesigned, and the Royal Pavilion in Brighton.

Inigo Jones was from much earlier - he died in 1652. Lutyens was born in 1869 and Spence in 1907.

Answer: Princess Anne

After their marriage in 1947, Princess Elizabeth, heir to the throne, and her husband Prince Philip lived at Clarence House. Their first child, Charles, was born in 1948 at Buckingham Palace, with Anne arriving two years later. She was named Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise.

In 1987, she was given the title of Princess Royal, which is given only to the oldest daughter of the monarch, and is now officially known as Her Royal Highness, the Princess Royal.

Answer: African

The full name of this institute of learning is the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, but it is widely known just by its initials. The school was founded in 1916 as the School for Oriental Studies with the purpose being to teach the British people destined to work in Africa and Asia the languages of the nations they were going to. The school was housed in temporary accommodation in the 1930s while waiting for completion of new premises. During this time, the extensive library belonging to SOAS was moved to Clarence House.

Generally speaking, the British don't need to learn a new language to communicate with Americans or Australians, although I sometimes wonder.

Answer: August

Of course, open to the public does not mean unlimited access to all areas. The hoi polloi are allowed to see five different rooms on the ground floor, The tour starts in the garden, before visiting the Lancaster Room, the Morning Room, the Library, the Dining Room and the Garden Room.

Answer: Gloucestershire

Clarence House is also where Charles's offices and staff are based. His sons, Princes William and Harry, also used the building although both are now based elsewhere. The country home of Charles and Camilla is in Gloucestershire, near Tetbury. It is officially owned by the Duchy of Cornwall. Gloucestershire, particularly the Cotswolds, is a favourite area with the Royal family, with the Princess Royal's home, Gatcombe Park, also being there.