Join a royal tour with where the queens aren't always monarchs
Behind the gilded gates and ceremonial pageantry of Britain’s royal palaces lies a treasure trove of LGBTQ+ stories. From the scholarly King James I (sometimes known as Queen James) and his beloved favorites to the extraordinary bond between the Queen Mother and her devoted “Backstairs Billy”.
From the chambers of Hampton Court to the elegant rooms of Clarence House, where Billy Tallon threw boozy parties for the Queen Mother, these locations offer a unique lens through which to view royal history. We’re yet to have a royal gay wedding. The House of Windsor has, however, been well served by gay butlers over the years.
We can arrange guided private tours to some of the UK’s finest royal landmarks, all of which are listed in this LGBTQ+ heritage guide.
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The Queen Mother and Backstairs Billy
One of the most fascinating and unlikely relationships in 20th-century royal history was the decades-long friendship between Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and William “Billy” Tallon, known as “Backstairs Billy.” Tallon served as the Queen Mother’s page and steward for over 50 years, becoming far more than a servant – he was her closest confidant, party companion, and keeper of royal secrets.
Billy, who was openly gay within royal circles, brought wit, charm, and an irreverent sense of humor that delighted the Queen Mother. Their relationship challenged conventional royal protocol, with Billy enjoying unprecedented access and influence. He organized the Queen Mother’s social calendar, accompanied her to the races, and was known for his legendary parties at Clarence House that often ran until the early hours of the morning.
The Queen Mother’s acceptance and protection of Billy during an era when homosexuality was still illegal in Britain speaks to both her progressive nature and the genuine affection between them.
“Oh, do let’s have another drink” was one of her favorite turns of phrase: she drank Gin and Dubonnet every morning.
It’s rumoured that she joked that she and Backstairs Billy were a pair of old queens. The story inspired a hilarious play, “Backstairs Billy”, which ran in the West End.
Where to Visit:
Clarence House, London – The Queen Mother’s official residence where Billy lived and worked for decades. While the house itself offers limited public access, you can admire the exterior and gardens during special open days, typically in summer.
Royal Lodge, Windsor Great Park – The Queen Mother’s beloved country retreat where Billy would organize intimate gatherings. The lodge remains a private royal residence, but you can explore the surrounding Windsor Great Park and imagine the boozy conversations and laughter that filled these grounds.
The Mall and St. James’s Palace area – Walk the route Billy would have taken daily, moving between royal residences and running errands for the Queen Mother. The area remains largely unchanged from his era.
Private Countryside Castle Getaway
Queen Anne
Queen Anne and Sarah Churchill
Long before The Favourite brought Queen Anne’s intimate relationships to the silver screen, the real-life drama between Britain’s last Stuart monarch and her beloved Sarah Churchill captivated 18th-century society. Their passionate friendship – charged with devotion, jealousy, and political intrigue – remains one of Britain’s most compelling royal relationships.
Anne and Sarah’s bond began in childhood and evolved into something far deeper than mere friendship. Their surviving letters reveal an intensity that transcends typical royal correspondence, with Anne signing herself as “Mrs. Morley” to Sarah’s “Mrs. Freeman” – pet names that allowed them to communicate as equals, free from the constraints of royal protocol. Anne’s devotion was absolute: she showered Sarah with titles, wealth, and unprecedented political influence, making her the most powerful woman in England after the Queen herself.
The relationship’s passionate nature has long sparked speculation about its true character. Whether romantic love or an intensely emotional female friendship, their connection challenged traditional court hierarchies and demonstrated Anne’s willingness to defy convention for those she loved. When their relationship eventually soured – partly due to Sarah’s domineering nature and political manipulation – Anne’s heartbreak was profound and public.
While The Favourite took dramatic liberties with historical facts, it captured the essential truth of Anne’s court: a world where intimate female relationships wielded enormous political power. It isn’t clear if Queen Anne actually said “I like when she puts her xxx” but it made for a memorable Olivia Colman line.
Where to Visit:
Kensington Palace, London – Anne’s primary residence and the setting for many pivotal moments in her relationship with Sarah. The palace’s State Apartments showcase the opulent world where their drama unfolded. Don’t miss the exhibition spaces that often feature displays about royal relationships and court life.
Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire – The magnificent palace Anne gifted to Sarah’s husband, the Duke of Marlborough, as a reward for military victories. This UNESCO World Heritage site stands as a monument to Anne’s generosity and the Churchill family’s influence.
Windsor Castle, Berkshire – Anne’s favored retreat where she and Sarah spent countless private hours. The State Apartments and St. George’s Chapel witnessed their most intimate conversations and bitter final confrontations. The castle’s Long Walk was where Anne would take solitary walks, often thinking of Sarah.
Westminster Abbey, London – Anne’s final resting place, where she lies in a vault beneath the Henry VII Chapel. Visit the abbey to pay respects to Britain’s last Stuart monarch and reflect on her complex legacy of love, loss (none of her children survived infancy), and political upheaval.
Enchanting Capitals: London, Edinburgh, Dublin
King James I: The Scholarly King and His Beloved Favorites
Before the House of Hanover, before the Windsors, King James I (VI of Scotland) brought a distinctly different energy to the English throne when he ascended in 1603. The scholarly monarch who commissioned the King James Bible was equally famous for his passionate relationships with handsome young men at court, relationships that scandalized some but were openly acknowledged by many. He did nothing to hide his interest in handsome chaps, all but parading his various love interests to his courtiers.
James’s most documented and intense relationship was with George Villiers, later Duke of Buckingham, whom he called his “sweet child and wife.” Their correspondence reveals a devotion that was both tender and absolute. James wrote to Buckingham, “I naturally so love your person, and adore all your other parts, which are more than ever one man had,” language that leaves little doubt about the depth of his feelings. The King elevated Buckingham from minor gentry to the highest ranks of nobility, showering him with titles, estates, and political power that made him the most influential person in England after James himself.
Before Buckingham, there was Robert Carr, Earl of Somerset, another stunning young Scotsman who captured the King’s heart and wielded enormous influence before his rapid downfall. James’s pattern of elevating beautiful young men to positions of power became the defining characteristic of his reign, creating a court culture where male beauty, wit, and muscular legs could unlock the highest doors in the kingdom.
His court became a space where male-male intimacy, at least among the elite, was not just tolerated but could be politically advantageous. These events were brilliantly depicted – with smouldering gay love scenes – in Julian Moore’s Mary & George.
Where to Visit:
Whitehall Palace Site, London – Though the palace was largely destroyed by fire in 1698, you can still walk the historic Whitehall area where James held court with his favorites. The Banqueting House, designed by Inigo Jones, survives as a magnificent reminder of Stuart royal grandeur and the setting for many intimate court gatherings.
Hampton Court Palace, Surrey – James frequently resided here and expanded the palace’s gardens where he would walk with his favorites. The State Apartments showcase the opulent world where these relationships flourished. The palace’s maze and gardens provided private spaces for intimate conversations away from prying courtiers.
Greenwich Palace Site, London – Now the site of the National Maritime Museum and Royal Naval College, this was where James often entertained. While the Tudor palace is gone, the magnificent Baroque buildings that replaced it stand on the same grounds where the King’s passionate relationships played out against the Thames.
St. James’s Palace, London – Built by Henry VIII but extensively used by James, this working royal palace still hosts ceremonies today. Though tours are limited, you can admire the exterior and imagine the corridors where Buckingham and Somerset once wielded their influence.
Apethorpe Palace, Northamptonshire – This recently restored Jacobean mansion was where James first met George Villiers in 1614, changing both their lives forever. While private, it occasionally opens for heritage events, offering a chance to see where one of history’s most famous royal romances began.
