Hampton Court Palace opens its doors [audio 10min]

Hampton Court Palace has not just been home to Royalty over the centuries. George II was the last monarch to have his court in the palace in 1737 and subsequently it was sub-divided into accommodation of varying size. Called 'Grace and Favour' residences, these were apartments and houses granted through the 'grace and favour' of the sovereign. They were formerly occupied by courtiers but latterly allocated on the basis that the recipient had performed some service to the country. This mainly female community of palace residents developed over two centuries. Under the palace roof, a fascinating mix of personalities lived and worked, including the Indian Princess, Sophia Duleep Singh, a passionate suffragette, and Lady Olave Baden-Powell, founder of the Girl Guides. Now one of the apartments is open to the public and houses an exhibition, 'Suffragettes, Soldiers and Servants: Behind the Scenes of the Hampton Court Palace Community 1750-1950'. Judi Herman went to Hampton Court to meet its curator, Sarah Parker.