The Secret History of The Royal Horseguards Hotel
By Sarah Edge
Saturday, February 7th, 2009
From its exterior, The Royal Horseguards Hotel - a white building based on the design of a French chateau – could easily be mistaken for another 5-star hotel on the banks of the River Thames in London, but it is the secrets inside that count.
Legendary Hotel Guests
Ever seen the mustachioed man on the Britain Needs You posters, calling men and women to the armed services? Lord Kitchener, who was probably one of Britain’s first male models, had a suite here. The hotel started out as high-class apartments that also attracted Russian aristocracy in the form of Grand Duke Michael as well as politician William Gladstone and Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw.
Secret Service
No longer such a secret, is the hotel’s habitation by the Secret Service during World War I. Anyone staying on the eighth floor of the hotel will be treading boards once stepped on by the James Bonds of British society back in the early 1900s, as this was where military intelligence was co-ordinated in what was then known as Block Two.
Passages to Parliament
Tunnels running from The Royal Horseguards to parliament were rumored to have been built, so politicians could escape to the safety of the command center. Indeed the Cabinet War Rooms tourist attraction on King Charles Street is not too far away from the building, which details the hub of military operations during World War II.
Intelligence Center
During the Second World War many government department were housed here as well as foreign embassies, including the Russian, on the fifth floor, the American, on the sixth floor and the Air Training Corps occupied the seventh floor. Wartime prime minister Winston Churchill commanded operations from this intelligence center.
Churchill’s Drinking Hole
As Churchill was partial to a tipple or two throughout his career, it makes sense that this was one of his favorite drinking holes. After all, the Royal Horseguards is merely across the water from parliament. The Churchill Bar inside used to be the National Liberal Club frequented by many British politicians wanting to unwind.
Modern Day Inspiration
Up and coming London fashion designer Aimee McWilliams planned to put her latest collection on display at the Royal Horseguards, which was one of the inspirations for her new line entitled Capsule. The clothes embody the character, history and style of this hotel and were expected to be auctioned off for charity after the exhibition.
Guoman Hotels
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