Expert: Michael - 10/8/2005

Question
London is absolutely my favorite place to visit-- I hope to live there when I finish my degree in Texas.  On a recent vacation to London this summer, I decided to revisit the Tower of London.  I noticed that the doors at the Queen's House were bright blue, and I was wondering what the story is behind the bright blue doors.  I have tried to search the internet, but no luck!  Thank you!

Answer
Hello again Jessica,

After receiving your query last week about the blue door at the Tower of London, I took the chance to contact the curators office for the Royal Palaces. They advise me that in fact, that bright blue is the 'estate colour' for the palace at the Tower. Also, although I must confess that I had never noticed before, I am told that the lamp-posts and other similar features are painted the same colour.
It seems that it has long been tradition for each of the historic royal palaces to feature a different 'estate colour', although it is unclear how far back this tradition stretches.
I'm afraid for me where this story is a little more functional than I'd have liked - I always like to think there's some serious symbolic importance to things such as this, but it seems that this is less true here. However, I hope that this additional information has been of use to you.
Regards
Michael


Hello Jessica,

I'm afraid I'm not really sure what you mean by "the Queen's House" - is this a house within the walls of the Tower of London?
Perhaps you are referring to the place where Lady Jane Grey (who was Queen of England for 9 days in the 16th century) was held before being beheaded?
I cannot say for certain why the door is blue, although I wouldn't be surprised if there is no real reason. Door colours were quite popular in London in the early 20th Century and have often just been kept in that state since.
Perhaps if you can clarify exactly where this door is I can try to find out for certain for you?
Regards

Michael