Royal treasures, antique furniture... and a two-bar electric heater: Inside Buckingham Palace's Audience Room where the Queen met the Saudi Arabian Crown Prince
- The Queen, 91, welcomed Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, at Buckingham Palace today
- The pair were photographed shaking hands inside the Audience Room, where the Queen greets dignitaries
- Closer look at the reception room reveals it is filled with priceless royal treasures and antique furniture
- It also demonstrates the Queen's naturally frugal nature, with a two-bar electric heated in the fireplace
Standing on a French carpet from the 17th century beneath a glittering chandelier, the Queen certainly offered the Saudi Arabian Crown Prince a taste of British royal finery when he visited Buckingham Palace today.
But it would be interesting to know what the visiting billionaire made of the monarch's decidedly modest means of heating the high-ceilinged Audience Room.
For tucked away in the ornate fireplace, just feet from where the Queen and Mohammed bin Salman shook hands, was a tiny two-bar electric heater.
The plastic-cased appliance, which costs less than £30 from the high street, can be seen glowing orange in the background of photos taken of the private audience today.
Pictured: 1. French carpet from the 18th Century, value unknown 2. The Thames from Somerset House Terrace towards the City by Canaletto 3. Black and white wedding picture of Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall 4. Picture of William and Harry in Military uniform 5. 18th Century English porcelain pheasants valued at £20,000; white marble and gilt bronze clock, valued at £4,000 6. English gilt mirror, from the 19th Century, valued at £30,000 7. Late 18th century chandelier, reflected in the mirror. Value: £10,000 8. Two-bar electric fire, approx. cost £29.99
The Crown Prince was received by the Queen, 91, as Britain rolled out the red carpet for his three-day visit.
He enjoyed a meeting with Her Majesty in the Audience room before joining her and her son, the Duke of York, for lunch.
The Saudi royal then travelled to Downing Street for high powered talks with Theresa May and a security briefing with British intelligence. He will later join the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge for dinner.
Despite the best efforts to make the Crown Prince feel welcome, the trip threatens to be overshadowed by protests against his controversial war in Yemen.
However any suggestion of controversy or strain was far removed from the civility between the Queen and her guest inside the Audience Room, captured in these photos. Here, a closer look at the treasures on display...
18th Century art
18th century artwork: On the wall behind the Crown Prince and the Queen is a painting by Canaletto that is dated circa 1750-51. The piece, titled The Thames from Somerset House Terrace towards the City, is part of a pairing created by the Italian artist during his time in London. It recently replaced another painting by the same artist, which hung in the room for years
Family portraits
Family portraits: The room, situated on the palace's first floor, is also peppered with photographs of Royals. On these two side tables there is a portrait of Zara and Mike Tindall on their wedding day (far left, just seen) and a picture of William and Harry in Military uniform. The Queen regularly shifts the positioning of the photo frames around but these have been in place for years
Mantelpiece ornaments
Mantelpiece ornaments: 18th Century English porcelain pheasants valued at £20,000; white marble and gilt bronze clock, valued at £4,000; English gilt mirror, valued at £30,000. Reflected in the mirror is a late 18th century chandelier
Two-bar electric heater
Two-bar electric fire: In the fireplace there is a two-bar electric fire, with only one bar lit up. Similar models can be bought on the high street for £29.99. The Royals are known to face the cold with fortitude, with the dated rooms in their various haunts known for their draughts and difficulty to heat. The Queen has similar budget heaters in fireplaces in all of her residences
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