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Grand Staircase

Room 5 of 10

Grand Staircase: illustration showing the staircase, golden balustrade, statue, royal portraits, footmen, green drawing roomGreen Drawing Room

Grand Staircase

Curving stairs, a golden railing and royal portraits.

Enter this world

Visitors climb the Grand Staircase to reach the State Rooms. Look closer at its golden railing and portraits.

All 6 parts, explained

  1. 1. Staircase

    Two curving flights of red-carpeted stairs sweep up from the hall to the State Rooms above.

    Fun fact Guests arriving for State Banquets climb these stairs.

  2. 2. Golden balustrade

    The railing, called a balustrade, is made of gilded bronze shaped into curling leaves and scrolls.

    Fun fact Gilded bronze is a metal covered with a thin coat of gold.

  3. 3. Statue

    A statue stands at the top of the stairs, holding up a lamp to light the way.

    Fun fact Statues that hold lamps are called torchbearers.

  4. 4. Royal portraits

    Portraits of kings and queens from Queen Victoria's family line the walls above the stairs.

    Fun fact Royal portraits were painted to show how important and grand their sitters were.

  5. 5. Footmen

    Footmen in red coats help guests find their way on busy days of ceremonies and banquets.

    Fun fact A footman's red coat is part of the royal livery, a special uniform.

  6. 6. Green Drawing Room

    At the top of the stairs, the way leads on into the Green Drawing Room.

    Fun fact The State Rooms are on the first floor, above the ground floor.

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