A lady recently contacted me to tell me about a strange experience she had during a visit to Hampton Court Palace in 2009.
Since it is Halloween today, it’s the perfect day to share Lauren’s story and photos.
Happy Halloween!
This is Lauren’s story.
A friend and I went to Hampton Court on 18 October 2009. After only having been there a short time, we decided to make our way inside. We were aware that there were actors around as in that particular month they were re-enacting the wedding of Henry VIII and Katherine Parr. While we knew the actors were about, we didn’t quite expect them to be walking so freely around or how realistically they would treat it all. As we walked towards The Queen’s Staircase, we heard someone call out, ‘make way for the King’ and then I can only say I had a panic attack. I went cold, and had to leave the room very quickly. My friend said that I’d said, ‘Oh the King’ before I left the room but I honestly don’t remember saying it. I know it sounds silly and a bit embarrassing but I honestly did panic. I really can’t explain why.
The Queen’s Staircase, Hampton Court Palace
After I came back in, I stopped (and as it was my first visit to Hampton Court I was resolved to take as many pictures as I could) and took a picture of the staircase. Nothing happened the rest of the day, in fact on seeing and being around the actors later in the day I felt quite comfortable around them. Most of the photos I took are fine, although there is a spot of dust in one taken in the kitchen but given the fire was going on the day that is to be expected. However, one of the photos taken on the staircase has a strange anomaly in the top right hand corner.
It wasn’t until last year that a ghostly woman was spotted in this very photo. I had become friendly with a Paranormal Investigator, and wanted to get his opinion on the strange anomaly. Its unusual shape had always made me wonder, as it couldn’t have been pollen since it was October and when that picture was taken we hadn’t been out in the gardens. He opined that given these factors and that it was the only one in the picture it was unexplained, he then put it up on his page for discussion where an investigator from America pointed out the woman.
Ghostly Figure Hampton Court Palace
I have no idea who she is, although I have had some interesting suggestions! Queen Victoria being the most outrageous. But I have been quite nervous about visiting Hampton Court again, and I am afraid to say that I haven’t returned yet.
(Natalie here again, I am very interested to hear whether or not you can see the ghostly figure of a woman in the close up shot. And if you can, who do you think it might be?)
To me she looks like she is in late Tudor attire, puffed out sleeves, wearing some type of hat as if to be about to go outside riding maybe. I also see a full, completed neck ruff indicating an unmarried lady, perhaps Elizabeth I?
That’s funny Debbie because Elizabeth I is the first person that came to mind when I saw the photo as well, and she’s not a person that I normally think of when I think of Hampton Court Palace. Fascinating!
The image is so clear, its amazing. To me the style of dress is similar to that in the portrait of Katherine Parr by William Scrots, in that she wears a hat with a feather in and has large puffed sleeves with stand up collar. A dress of similar style is wore by the portrait thought to be Catherine Howard after Holbein the younger hanging in the N.P.Gallery, again with large puffed sleeves and stand up collar. I favour K.Parr, maybe as they were re-enacting her wedding to Henry, she thought she would check to see how ‘true to life’ it was 🙂 But who ever the Lady was she doesn’t seem very happy, her face seems quite macabre to me, a very haunted look…
Also, but it maybe my eyes, there seems to be a ‘mass’ behind her, quite a bit larger but not fully formed. But as I said a fantastic photo, and definately appropriate to be shown today.
My sister and me were there that year too, in July, his 500th anniversary of becoming King, but sadly our photos were not as fascinating as yours Lauren. The re-enactment of the wedding and the courtiers were great though, did you get the option to wear one of the many Tudor coats that we did?
Great post Natalie 🙂 HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYBODY 🙂
Just been checking out Hampton hauntings, and how about Sybil Penn Edward and Elizabeth nursemaid, you mentioned her on a post in 2011, she died of smallpox in 1562, maybe thats why she seems to have such a tormented look about her….must go to bed now its the ;bewitching’ hour on Halloween and I’m talking ghosts 🙂
Hi Dawn,
We didn’t get to wear the coats, it was a busy day and they’d all gone by the time we arrived. It was a lovely day and it’s a beautiful palace and I hope to re visit in the new year!
Actually your not the only person to mention a mass behind her. Some people seem to think its a man due to the height. And others say that to her left is a little child, but because she is the only defined figure I only point her out. That and the rather strange orb at the top right of the stairs! That is a very odd one.
I like to think its Sybil Penn. she is the only ‘grey lady’ mentioned in reputed hauntings, and given she had charge of Edward she would be scared of the King. Though someone has mentioned Katherine Parr.
Just under the light there is the face of a man that seems to have a flat tudor styled cap and a mousetache, I can see a ‘face’ of some sort on the Lady’s left but the face seems awful large for a child in comparison to the Lady, could it be just the fashioning of the railings of the stairs and the way the light has picked it up, but I could be looking at something completely different to others. I can’t stop looking at the photo though, it has me mesmerised.
I was the same to start with Dawn, for weeks after she was first noticed I couldn’t help but stare at the picture and desperately try to work out who she was. But now you have mentioned it I can now see where a gentleman would be, I had never quite noticed him as I couldn’t quite work out where they were seeing another figure. So thank you for pointing him out.
Yes, I could quite believe that the face to the left is some sort of optical illusion as it is very different from the other faces in the picture. I have often thought of contacting Historic Royal Palaces to see if they could help with identifying her I would like to be able to put a name to her.
This has been so interesting. It has made me re visit some of my old photos desperately trying to find my own ghost! Plenty of orbs and mist but nothing I can identify. I too can see the face of the man, but he is in colour and seems to be on a completely different level/layer to the lady although his facial hair makes me think he is of the same period.
I can’ t help but keep coming back to this photo, it’s ‘haunting’ me 🙂 the more I look the more faces I see, but I think that could be more the wanting to, rather than the real thing so to speak. Because to me, now, I can see in front of the lady a face only appearing above the banister rail, maybe a girl child..like you Debbie, I have never been lucky enough to catch one on a photo, but I have had one stood next to me in touching distance, not at night but at 6am in May, I think its a misconception that ghosts only walk at the dead of night, Lauren’s photo is prove of that. Theres a place of paranormal studies in Edinburgh by academics I bet they would be interested in looking at it.
I know what you mean Dawn, it is so captivating and for me a person so interested in this period of history it has lingered and become an obsession of mine. To find out who she is, to find out why she allowed herself to be caught on my camera at times is overwhelming. But I can see the little girl too, with her head just peeping over the banister. Until this picture, I had never really believed in ghosts but this and having no explanation to why she’s there has made me think otherwise. I believe that if the spirits want to get your attention they will appear whenever they need to. Whether its the sunniest day of the year, or in the darkest part of the night. I just wish I had noticed her sooner! And even though I am very reluctant and a bit scared of going back to Hampton Court I think I may have to, just to find out if she’s still there!
Though I think I may have another candidate for who she may be. I remember reading that Margaret Radcliffe, Maid of Honour to Elizabeth I. Shd died at Hampton Court from a combination of depression and starving herself after the death of her twin brother Alexander.
Don’t be scared of the ‘spirits’ Lauren, it’s the living that are more frightening… 🙂 I bet Hampton is crammed full of them, as any other place rich in history, we just dont notice them. keep us informed if you get any info from an expert on the photo, or capture any more on camera wont you.
Margaret Radcliffe, such a tragic story that, good suggestion that…
Margaret Radcliffe is also said to haunt Ordsall Hall. You can view the ghost cam of Salford Council Visit: http://www.services.salford.gove.uk/ghostcam/
‘Most Haunted’ carried out an investigation at the Hall, I saw the repeat just a few days ago…..very strange.
I saw that Most Haunted episode too, and that’s when I thought it may be her. Maybe the gentleman behind her is Alexander?
I’m not scared of them, but I was the only one that had that experience. So either I was a bit sensitive given the surroundings or the Lady had something to tell me. I think it’s the fact that I believe that it was someone trying to reach out to me and get my attention that scares me!
Though I am planning to be brave and going to Hampton Court in the New Year. I think I may take the picture with me, see what they think. But I will definately keep you updated if I capture anything or anyone else.
And thank you for your suggestions and for discussing my photo with such kindness! Your all very, very lovely!