As most Dutch posters know, starting next Monday Loo Palace will be closed for some three years for extensive renovations; Asbestos removal, new electricity systems etc. More or less like the Louvre an anormous new entrance hall with glass roof will be built underneath the "pelouse", in front of the palace. I (and some 5000 others...) went yesterday for a last visit, enjoying the most opulent Christmas settings the palace has ever shown. Lots and lots of silver, dinner services galore and gorgeous floral decorations.
As Sir Robin Mackworth-Young, librarion of the British Royal Collections once quoted: "The House of Orange may have the greatest plate collection in the world, WE have the paintings!" Yes, a good sample of that plate collection could clearly be seen yesterday....
The entrance hall, seen towards the front doors
the entrance hall
the entrance hall
The so-called old diningroom
the so-called new diningroom (designed by Daniël Marot)
The William III library
Chimney in the bedroom of Queen Mary II
The room of Stadtholder Willem V
The room of King Willem I
The audience room
The room of King Willem II
The private sittingroom of Queen Wilhelmina
a plate of the new Delft royal dinnerservice