The Queen’s favourite room is the study, despite it being her main place of work. She loves being surrounded by her favourite pieces of furniture, portraits and has a marvellous view out of the picture windows at one end of the room. She has a wonderfully comfortable chair, the desk is mahogany and centuries old and she can cut herself off from the rest of the Palace in this room. There are times she is glad to cut herself off from the Council! The decoration is stylish, was chosen by the Queen and has not been altered since her succession. Each monarch gets to choose how they want their study to be and it is traditional they stick with what they initially chose. Food is often served to Her Majesty in here.
The Queen has portraits scattered all over the Palace but keeps her favourites in a small room off her study. She often spends time in this mini-gallery at the beginning and end of each day, feeling taking in art is good for the soul. The only reasons she doesn’t go in here is she’s either away at her coastal resort or there’s too much going on in the Kingdom meaning she’s spending every waking moment with her Council. It is no coincidence her mood worsens when that happens! Occasionally she will invite the chosen few to visit her mini-gallery. L’Evallier has had the honour of visiting three times, Melanbury has visited once, and the Queen thoroughly enjoyed this as if anyone is going to appreciate art at her level, it will be these two.