The first house was built in 1666 by the 2nd Duke of Buckingham. Since then it has twice been destroyed by fire, only to emerge, phoenix-like, better than before. The house has played host to virtually every British Monarch since George I and has been home to three Dukes, an Earl and Frederick Prince of Wales. Queen Victoria, a frequent guest, was not amused in 1893 when the house was bought by William Waldorf Astor, America’s richest citizen. When he gave it to his son and daughter-in-law Nancy in 1906 Cliveden became the hub of a hectic social whirl where guests included everyone from Charlie Chaplin to Winston Churchill, and President Roosevelt to George Bernard Shaw. Nancy Astor was also to become the first woman to take a seat in Parliament -- the only woman MP until 1921 • Sony A100, Minolta 24-85 mm, ISO 200 • © John Prior 2006 all rights reserved
Posted by: John Prior • Comment (8) • All, Buildings • Permalink • © John Prior 2005-10 all rights reserved
Posted by: John Prior • Comment (8) • All, Buildings • Permalink • © John Prior 2005-10 all rights reserved
