Days after Buckingham Palace released photos of its new Picture Gallery, fans have been left debating whether it's more aesthetically pleasing now or in the past.
In what was hailed as a "once-in-a-generation re-display", the Royal Collection has doubled the number of pieces. Among the 120 paintings is artwork from Rubens, Caravaggio and Zoffany, all hanging on a striking emerald-green silk damask.
But the room has undergone a series of makeovers in the past. "You asked to see what the Picture Gallery at Buckingham Palace looked like previously, so here is a carousel of images through time," the RCT captioned a carousel of unearthed photos of the Picture Gallery on Instagram.
Starting in 1843, the picture depicts red carpets contrasting with the yellow walls, where "dense" paintings hung in up to four tiers. Ten years later, fewer paintings were distributed across the soft lilac walls, finished with blue ceiling details.
While the colour was changed to a regal red in 1909 with a "very dense" hang, it temporarily featured green damask silk in 1939, with a new ceiling window arch.
© Peter Smith/Royal Collection TrustBetween 1984 and 2025, the gallery was known for its deep coral patterned walls, which faded from striking to soft colour over thirty years.
Gallery sparks debate
While it looks most like its 1930s green iteration, fans took to the comments section to share their verdict on the best interiors.
"I love the green, but the original ceiling was far superior!" wrote one, while another voted for the lilac: "The 1853 version. They should have left the ceiling as it was the original. So beautiful."
After the ceiling became a talking point, the RCT responded to one fan who asked what had happened to it: "John Nash’s original ceiling had a very elaborate, gothic-inspired hammerbeam roof with glass domes running the length on both sides. This was replaced during the reign of George V and Queen Mary, when the current barrel-vault design – the vision of Sir Aston Webb – was introduced."
King Charles' reluctance to move
© Getty ImagesThe new photos of the Palace interiors come just weeks after King Charles confirmed he will not be relocating in 2027, as is tradition for the monarch, despite an almost £370 million investment on modernising the property.
Charles and his wife Queen Camilla will continue to stay primarily at their current home, Clarence House, where they have lived since 2003, and Buckingham Palace will be the monarchy's headquarters in London.
"His Majesty retains huge affection for Buckingham Palace and a deep respect for its role in royal and public life," said a palace spokesperson. "It will be a buzzing hive of royal activity in every other way."
HELLO!'s Royal Editor, Emily Nash, explained the King is "redefining its purpose." Unlike the palace's 775 rooms, including 188 staff bedrooms, Clarence House is "much smaller and offers far more privacy."
