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Lucy Worsley

Joint Chief Curator at Historic Royal Palaces

Joint Chief Curator at Historic Royal Palaces

About Lucy Worsley

Lucy Worsley is an architectural and social historian, writer and Chief Curator of Historic Royal Palaces. She specialises in Tudors to the present day.

Lucy has written numerous history books including: Queen Victoria: Daughter, Wife, Mother, Widow; Jane Austen at Home: A Biography; and The Courtiers: Splendor and Intrigue in the Georgian Court. She has presented and contributed to various TV programmes and series including: Six Wives with Lucy Worsley; Lucy Worsley's Royal Photo Album; Victoria & Albert: The Royal Wedding; and British History's Biggest Fibs.

Lucy's role at Historic Royal Palaces

Alongside Tracy Borman, Lucy and our team of curators are responsible for the way that the palaces are presented to visitors today. Their job is to share the stories of some of the most significant historic buildings in Britain: both architecturally, and as the settings for momentous events in English history.

Lucy joined Historic Royal Palaces as Chief Curator in 2003. She previously spent six years as an Inspector of Ancient Monuments and Historic Buildings for English Heritage as well as a stint at Glasgow Museums.

Subject expertise

Lucy has particular expertise in 17th-century architectural and social history, up to 1760; the social use of buildings; George II; and The household of William Cavendish, 1st Duke of Newcastle.

She has Honorary Doctorates from the University of Sussex (2015) and Open University (2013), a D Phil from the University of Sussex (2001), The Architectural Patronage of William Cavendish, 1st Duke of Newcastle, 1593- 1676, and a BA (Hons) in Ancient and Modern History from Oxford University (1995).

Lucy was made a member of the Order of the British Empire by Her Majesty the Queen in 2018 and in 2019 her programme Suffragettes With Lucy Worsley won a BAFTA.

Website: lucyworsley.com (link opens in a new window)

Lucy Worsley, Joint Chief Curator, Historic Royal Palaces

More by Lucy Worsley

Researching and Redecorating Queen Victoria's Childhood Home

As part of the work to recreate the rooms where Victoria grew up, Historic Royal Palaces curators have carried out extensive research into the decorative schemes she would have known as a little girl.

Browse more History and Stories

Katherine of Aragon

Katherine of Aragon was the first wife of Henry VIII. In her eyes, she was his only Queen.

Queen Victoria

From pampered princess to elderly empress: wife, mother and queen

James I and Anne of Denmark

Generous, scholarly James and his cultured wife

Shop books by Lucy Worsley

Queen Victoria: Daughter, Wife, Mother, Widow

Lucy Worsley showcases Queen Victoria's life through 24 key days. Through diaries, letters and more, we discover a personal and close up view of Victoria's life and see the very heart of her reign.

£10.99

Courtiers: The Secret History of Kensington Palace

Told through the eyes of a courtier, this fascinating book explores the ambitious and talented people who flocked to the Georgian court in search of power and prestige.

£12.99

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