PALACE OF HOLYROODHOUSE

This is the official residence of His Majesty the King when he visits Scotland. At the exact opposite end of the Royal Mile from the castle, like Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III regularly stays here to conduct receptions and ceremonies in the capital. The site was occupied as early as 1128 by Holyrood Abbey, whose ruins can still be seen in the gardens. At the beginning of the ^16th century, James IV and V built a palace here, definitively establishing political power in Edinburgh. The various conflicts of the second half of the century caused a great deal of damage. Renovations began in the ^17th century, before Cromwell's troops ravaged much of the building in 1650. After the Restoration, a complete rebuilding of the palace was scheduled, and its current appearance was mainly achieved between 1671 and 1678, with a square floor plan measuring 70 meters on each side. After the Act of Union between Scotland and England in 1707, Holyrood lost its main functions. It was seized by the Jacobites in 1745, and Bonnie Prince Charlie held court there for a few weeks. From 1796 to 1803, the Comte d'Artois, the future Charles X of France, lived here in exile. The French royal family even returned here from 1830 to 1832, after the July Revolution. At the end of the ^19th and beginning of the ^20th centuries, the interiors were partly restored and adapted to the comforts of the time.
The State Apartments reflect the influences of successive monarchs. They are particularly famous for their tapestries and decorated ceilings. The highlight is the superb Great Gallery, the largest room in the palace. It features 89 portraits of the legendary and real kings of Scotland. They were painted by Jan de Wet between 1684 and 1686. Also on display are the dining room, throne room and various reception rooms used by the king to this day for different occasions, such as the sumptuous Morning Drawing Room. The sumptuous furniture in Charles II's King's Bedchamber is impressive, and the various anterooms are richly ornamented.
Mary Queen of Scots' (Mary Stuart's) bedroom is in the north-west tower of the palace, just above the Darnley Rooms, where her second husband, Henry Stuart (Lord Darnley), lived. Many intimate objects belonging to her are preserved here. Of particular note is a tragic portrait depicting the Queen in mourning dress, with a scene depicting her execution at Fotheringhay Castle in 1587 in the background. Also on display is the carved oak oratory where she used to pray every day, and the splendid Lennox Jewel, a heart-shaped emerald pendant said to have been made for Margaret Douglas, Mary Stuart's mother-in-law, to commemorate the deaths of her husband (Matthew Stuart) and son (Henry Stuart). The latter was responsible for Holyrood's most famous drama: on March 9, 1566, he had Davide Rizzio, Mary's closest advisor, murdered. The crime took place in Mary's bedroom, in front of her eyes, while Henry himself held her back while his men stabbed the unfortunate man 56 times.
Holyrood Abbey is located in the palace gardens. It was the first building on the site, erected in 1128 by King David I. It takes its name from the Holy Cross, "rood" in ancient Scots. Many coronations, weddings and funerals of members of the royal family have taken place here.