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Royalists Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas have reportedly moved into a new apartment inside St James’s Palace.
The Hollywood superstars, who are ardent monarchists, are understood to have rented a flat at London‘s oldest palace recently to be their base in the city.
Wednesday’s Zeta-Jones, 53, and Fatal Attraction star Douglas, 78, are now a stone’s throw from the home of the King and Queen Consort, while Princesses Anne and Beatrice are even closer neighbours.
One insider said: ‘It’s just perfect for their requirements when they’re visiting the capital.’
Here, FEMAIL takes a look inside the palace, built by Henry VIII in the 16th century, as well as the Hollywood couple’s new royal neighbours…
Royalists Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas (pictured together in January 2023) have reportedly moved into a new apartment inside St James’s Palace
Palace plays ceremonial role in royal life
Princess Charlotte and Prince George hold the hands of their father, Prince William, as they arrive at the Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace, London, for the christening of their brother, Prince Louis, who is being carried by their mother, then the Duchess of Cambridge
St James’s Palace has an important ceremonial function and the accession of a new Sovereign is announced from the Proclamation Gallery overlooking Friary Court. Pictured, Prince William and the Queen Consort watch as King Charles sings an oath to uphold the security of the Church in Scotland, during a meeting of the Accession Council inside St James’s Palace in London, to proclaim him as the new King
St James’s Palace has an important ceremonial function and the accession of a new Sovereign is announced from the Proclamation Gallery overlooking Friary Court.
Family occasions have also been held at St James’s Palace over the years – including Prince George’s christening and the christening of Prince Louis in 2018 – and The Queen’s Guard mounts there daily.
It also hosts up to 100 receptions each year for charities associated with members of the Royal Family.
The State Apartments are also sometimes used for entertaining during in-coming State Visits, according to The Royal Family’s website.
Rentals within the palace first became available in 2015. At the time, a source said: ‘In theory, anyone can apply but all prospective tenants will be subject to security and background checks.’
Offices based at the palace include the Royal Collection Trust, the Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps, the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood, the Chapel Royal, the Gentlemen at Arms, the Yeomen of the Guard and the Queen’s Watermen.
Prince William receives Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni during an audience at St James’s Palace in London on January 21, 2020
A general view of the interior of the Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace, where Prince George was christened in 2013
Guests are seen at The National Pharmacy Association Reception at St James’s Palace on May 04, 2022 in London
Home to Princess Anne, Princess Alexandra and Princess Beatrice
Princess Anne (pictured attending an engagement at the palace, left) – who lives at Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire – uses the palace as her city base when visiting London
Meanwhile, Princess Alexandra – Queen Elizabeth II’s first cousin – also has a grace-and-favour apartment within St James’s Palace, according to Hello !. Pictured, St James’s Palace
Charles and Anne during a ceremony at St James’s Palace on February 17, 2022 in London
Princess Anne – who lives at Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire – uses the palace as her city base when visiting London.
Meanwhile, Princess Alexandra – Queen Elizabeth II’s first cousin – also has a grace-and-favour apartment within St James’s Palace, according to Hello!.
Up until the autumn of 2017, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie shared an apartment within the palace.
In 2018, Eugenie moved to Kensington Palace with her husband Jack Brooksbank, while Beatrice is thought to have continued to live in the palace up until recently.
The 34-year-old royal now lives in a £3.5 million six-bedroom Cotswolds farmhouse with her husband Edo Mapelli Mozzi and their one-year-old daughter Sienna, according to The Express.
It’s unclear if Beatrice has kept the palace apartment for a London-base; she reportedly paid just £1,600 a month for the four-bedroom flat, about a fifth of the market rate. But it’s behind a security cordon so cannot be commercially let.
In 2021, Beatrice revealed a glimpse into her St James’ Palace home, complete with sweet family photos, modern décor and chic artwork.
She showed off her central London home in an interview with parenting blogger Giovanna Fletcher, where she discussed the ‘gift’ of dyslexia, as well as her relationship with her husband’s son Wolfie, who she described as a ‘bonus child’.
Princess Beatrice revealed a glimpse into her St James’ Palace home, complete with sweet family photos, modern décor and chic artwork. Pictured: 1. Pencil sketch art work 2. Family photos 3. Tasteful neutral walls 4. Photos with her husband Edo 5. Trendy mirror 6. Dresser and trinkets
Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi attend Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 15, 2022
Clearly keeping family close to her heart, the royal’s living room was filled with photos of herself and Edo, as well as snaps from her travels across the world.
Images on the wall appeared to show her with her parents Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson as well as her sister Princess Eugenie.
As well as the photos, the white walls were adorned with black and white pencil art.
Interior design expert Benji Lewis, suggested that the glimpse into Beatrice’s home shows her ‘accessibility’ as it ‘didn’t appear like a ‘former royal residence’.
Speaking exclusively to FEMAIL, he explained: ‘The backdrop suggests someone with an interest in creating a homely, welcoming interior, who enjoys structure and a sense of calm and who’s unbothered by blending contemporary elements with more traditional ones.
‘The quatrefoil mirror is a great shape – notably in its chunky modern frame – yet the prints on the left in their simple giltwood frames are more traditional, one in particular being finished with what looks like a detailed mount.
‘There’s also an accessibility to things, the backdrop doesn’t say “formal Royal residence'”– on the contrary the room has a gentle, friendly calm feel to it, notably with the inclusion of a multitude of framed photos, likely of friends and family.
‘Lighting wise there’s seemingly been given thought to the positioning of the overhead spots, to highlight the mirror and the two prints, so we can assume that when the overhead lighting is (likely) dimmed it’s a soft effect that’s achieved.
‘The soft grey walls are gentle and unshowy, an uncomplicated easy canvas for showcasing possessions and unthreatening as a backdrop for virtual appointments’.
A lover of the arts, Beatrice has attended many events at the National Portrait Gallery among others, while her sister Eugenie is the director of London gallery Hauser & Wirth.
Showing she’s up to date with interior design trends, Beatrice also opted for a neutral off-white wall, which highlighted her photos which were framed in black wood.
She also added a statement mirror to the room, as well as a dresser which houses more trinkets and framed photos. Reflected in the mirror was long white curtains covered in a red and blue tree print.
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