2013-08-02— /travelprnews.com/ — Now that the Earl and Countess of Strathearn, as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are known in Scotland, have announced the safe arrival of the Master of Strathearn, Edinburgh Castle has revealed it will be having a makeover of its very own Royal Birthing Room.
The tiny bed-closet where Mary, Queen of Scots gave birth to James VI in the royal palace on 19 June 1566 is a room with a very special significance for Great Britain, as James VI was to become James I of England in the Union of the Crowns in 1603.
Visitors can still see the doorway in Crown Square decorated for the event with a gilded panel bearing the date 1566, and the intertwined initials of Mary along with those of her husband Lord Henry Darnley.
Just as today, the birth of a royal heir prompted great rejoicing, with five hundred bonfires lighting up the Edinburgh night, and a royal salute fired from the Castle.
James VI’s baptism was celebrated at Stirling with the first recorded fireworks display in Scotland. In 1617 he returned to Edinburgh to celebrate his 50th anniversary as King of Scots, and made an emotional visit to the Birthing Room, which was especially redecorated for the visit.
Conservation wor in the Royal Birthing Room is due to start in November 2013 and will involve the careful and delicate retouching of paint on the panelled wooden walls and ceilings which feature Royal Coats of Arms.
Nick Finnigan, Executive Manager of Edinburgh Castle said: “The tiny bed-closet, where Mary, Queen of Scots gave birth, is a key historic area of interest within the castle and a huge attraction to visitors.
“It seems even more appropriate to be restoring it in the same year of another Royal birth.”
For information:
Dates of the Royal births:
Dunfermline Palace: James I July 1394, Charles I19 November 1600
Holyrood Abbey: James II 16 October 1430, James IV17 March 1473
St Andrews Castle: James IIIMay 1452
Linlithgow Palace: James VApril 1512, Mary Queen of Scots8 December 1542
Edinburgh Castle: James VI19 June 1566
Notes for editors:
Historic Scotland around the web:
www.twitter.com/welovehistory
www.facebook.com/visithistoricscotland
www.youtube.com/historicscotlandtv
www.flickr.com/groups/makeyourownhistory
For further information
Jennifer Johnston-Watt
Media & PR Officer
Communications and Media
0131 668 8070 or 07827 956 866
jennifer.johnstonwatt@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
(IN SHORT) St. Regis Hotels & Resorts has debuted in Serbia with the opening of…
Marking The Debut Of The Four Points Flex Brand In Asia Pacific, This Opening Underscores…
Research amongst over 20,000 travellers across the EMEA region shows that more than four in…
(IN SHORT) Qantas and CAE have inaugurated a new state-of-the-art flight training centre in St…
Aeroporti di Roma reaffirms tender results Ground services provider to invest over €20 million in…
(IN SHORT) Minor Hotels is set to debut its Anantara brand in Zimbabwe with the…
This website uses cookies.