17 Bruton Street, Mayfair

17 Bruton Street 17 Bruton Street Mayfair historic photograph (Historic England AL0141-056-01).jpg Historic England photograph (AL0141/056/01) showing the now-demolished townhouse at 17 Bruton Street, Mayfair Central London Location within central London 17 Bruton Street, Mayfair, London W1 London United Kingdom 51.5103 -0.1456 inline,title 1742 March 1937 Georgian attributed to Isaac Ware Commercial offices Birthplace of Queen Elizabeth II 17 Bruton Street was a large, eighteenth-century townhouse located next to Berkeley Square in Mayfair, London. Built in 1742, it was leased by the 14th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne during the 1920s. On 21 April 1926, Lord Strathmore's daughter Elizabeth, Duchess of York, gave birth at the house to Princess Elizabeth of York, who would later become the longest-reigning Sovereign of the United Kingdom.No. 17 Bruton Street, London W1, the birthplace of HM Queen Elizabeth II Royal Collection Trust Royal Collection Trust 1 November 2025 https://www.rct.uk/collection/2002127/no-17-bruton-street-london-w1-the-birthplace-of-hm-queen-elizabeth-iiThe mystery of the home where the Queen was born BBC News 29 December 2021 https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-59553852 1 November 2025 The building was demolished in 1937 and replaced by Berkeley Square House. History and occupants The house was the town residence of the 3rd Earl of Rosebery in 1796.Canadian Pacific Railway Company Offices in Mayfair – 17 Bruton Street The Daily Telegraph London, England 16 February 1934 14 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-canadian-pacific-rai/183972633/ 1 November 2025 Newspapers.com In 1831 the lease, which then had a remaining term of four years, was held by Thomas, 6th Earl of Berkeley. In 1832 the house was taken by William Pole-Tylney-Long-Wellesley (who later became 4th Earl of Mornington). Various contemporary newspaper articles record a number of tenants as the occupants of the house during the 1850s and 1860s, including Miles Stapleton, 10th Baron Beaumont, who died there on 16 August 1854,Death of Lord Beaumont at 17 Bruton Street, Berkeley Square The Standard London, England 18 August 1854 2 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-death-of-lord-beaumont-at-1/183969562/ 1 November 2025 Newspapers.com followed by Hugh Fortescue, Viscount Ebrington in November 1855,Viscount Ebrington MP of 17 Bruton Street, London Daily News London, England 20 November 1855 3 https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-viscount-ebrington-mp-of-17-b/183969592/ 1 November 2025 Newspapers.com and John Bligh, 6th Earl of Darnley in March 1860.The Earl and Countess of Darnley have arrived at 17 Bruton Street, London The Morning Post London, England 2 March 1860 6 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-post-the-earl-and-countess-o/183970920/ 1 November 2025 Newspapers.com The Morning Post reported that the Countess of Carnarvon (wife of Henry Herbert, 4th Earl of Carnarvon) gave birth to a stillborn son at the house on 21 July 1862.17 Bruton Street – Countess of Carnarvon gives birth stillborn son The Morning Post London, England 23 July 1862 7 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-post-17-bruton-street-coun/183970714/ 1 November 2025 Newspapers.com By December 1869 the house had become the London home of William Campbell, 2nd Baron Stratheden and Campbell,The Education Question The Morning Post London, England 9 December 1869 6 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-post-the-education-question/184081799/ 1 November 2025 Newspapers.com whose family continued to occupy the House until 1920. Following his death in January 1893, the House became the home of his brother and successor, who loaned the house to Mrs Alban Gibbs for a dance held on 30 May 1893.Dance at 17 Bruton Street, Mayfair The Morning Post London, England 9 May 1893 5 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-post-dance-at-17-bruton-stre/183973439/ 1 November 2025 Newspapers.com In 1905, Kenneth Campbell, youngest son of Lord and Lady Stratheden and Campbell, married Rosalina Oppenheim; this was reported as something of a novelty in the Daily Mirror due to the fact that the bride's parents (Mr and Mrs Henry Oppenheim) and groom's parents were neighbours in London, occupying No. 16 and 17 Bruton Street respectively.Engagement of Lord and Lady Stratheden's son to daughter of Mr and Mrs Henry Oppenheim Daily Mirror London, England 18 March 1905 7 https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-mirror-engagement-of-lord-and-lady/184082413/ 1 November 2025 Newspapers.com During the First World War the Campbell family based an appeal for donations of clothing and money to support Lord Kitchener's Army at No. 17 Bruton Street.Appeal for Donations for Lord Kitchener's Army – 17 Bruton Street, W. The Times London, England 17 February 1915 17 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-appeal-for-donations-for-lord/184082656/ 1 November 2025 Newspapers.com The 3rd Baron Stratheden and Campbell died at the house on 26 December 1918.Lord Stratheden and Campbell dies at 17 Bruton Street, London The Times London, England 28 December 1918 9 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-lord-stratheden-and-campbell-d/183971196/ 1 November 2025 Newspapers.com By March 1920 the house was being used as the headquarters of the anti-communist Liberty League.Bolshevism on the Brain Daily Herald London, England 6 March 1920 3 https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-herald-bolshevism-on-the-brain/184082844/ 1 November 2025 Newspapers.com On 11 March 1920 the house was the site of a Breton-themed fête held in aid of the ex-Services Welfare Society, which was opened by Louise, Princess Royal,Princess Royal opens fête at 17 Bruton Street, London The Times London, England 11 March 1920 17 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-princess-royal-opens-fete-at-1/184082936/ 1 November 2025 Newspapers.com who was accompanied by her daughter Princess Maud of Fife.The Breton Fete The Times London, England 12 March 1920 19 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-the-breton-fete/184083018/ 1 November 2025 Newspapers.com The purpose of the society was outlined by Sir Frederick Milner, who was appealing for funds to establish a hostel for the approximately 6,000 ex-servicemen who had "lost their mental balance in the war and are at present in the Poor Law asylums." On 15 April 1920 the house was used for the wedding reception of Major Charles Gore, son of Sir Francis Charles Gore, and Kathleen Annesley, daughter of former Comptroller of the Household Arthur Annesley, 11th Viscount Valentia.Marriage – Major Charles Gore & The Hon. Kathleen Annesley The Times London, England 16 April 1920 17 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-marriage-major-charles-gore/184083260/ 1 November 2025 Newspapers.com Lady Blythswood was loaned the house by Lord Stratheden and Campbell for a debutante dance she hosted for her daughter Olive Campbell in July 1920; the event was reportedly attended by nearly 300 guests, including Princess Margaret of Denmark.Dance – 17 Bruton Street, London The Daily Telegraph London, England 2 July 1920 13 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-dance-17-bruton-st/183971133/ 1 November 2025 Newspapers.com Later in the same year, it was reported in The Times that an auction of the contents of the house would be held on 8 November due to the sale of the lease of the property.Auction of contents of 17 Bruton Street, W. The Times London, England 5 November 1920 26 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-auction-of-contents-of-17-brut/183972313/ 1 November 2025 Newspapers.com Bowes-Lyon family In June 1920, Claude, 14th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne, and his wife Cecilia, Countess of Strathmore and Kinghorne, vacated No. 20 St James's Square, which had been used as the family's London townhouse since 1906.Elizabeth Queen Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother edited by William Shawcross Counting One's Blessings: Selected Letters of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Pan Books London 2013 978-0-330-53577-9 80–81, 90–91 Forrest Denys Mostyn St. James's Square: People, Houses, Happenings Quiller Press London 1986 134–135, 175 0-907621-74-0 https://archive.org/details/stjamesssquarepe0000forr 2 November 2025 A temporary lease was taken over a house in Eaton Square, and by April 1921 the lease of No. 17 Bruton Street had been acquired and renovations were underway in preparation for the Bowes-Lyon family's occupation of the house. The family had moved in to their new Bruton Street residence by March 1922.Elizabeth Queen Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother edited by William Shawcross Counting One's Blessings: Selected Letters of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Pan Books London 2013 978-0-330-53577-9 98 In January 1923, the Strathmores' youngest daughter, Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, had become engaged to Prince Albert, Duke of York.Longford Elizabeth The Queen Mother Weidenfeld & Nicolson London 1981 9780297779766 23 Lady Strathmore arrived at 17 Bruton Street on 9 April in preparation for her daughter's wedding.Countess of Strathmore in residence at 17 Bruton Street until wedding of Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon The Daily Telegraph London, England 10 April 1923 13 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-countess-of-strathmo/183972776/ 1 November 2025 Newspapers.com On 26 April 1923, Lady Elizabeth departed from No. 17 Bruton Street for Westminster Abbey, where she and Prince Albert were married.17 Bruton Street Sold Evening Standard London, England 26 March 1929 12 https://www.newspapers.com/article/evening-standard-17-bruton-street-sold/183972657/ 1 November 2025 Newspapers.com The house was loaned by Lord and Lady Strathmore for a chamber music concert hosted by pianist Mathilde Verne on 14 June 1928.Concert – 17 Bruton Street, London The Daily Telegraph London, England 9 June 1928 1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-concert-17-bruton/183972675/ 1 November 2025 Newspapers.com Lord Strathmore sold the lease of the property in early 1929; the Evening Standard reported on 26 March that the Strathmores would vacate the property in mid-April of that year, and that the reported purchase price of the house was £26,000. On 1 July couturier Norman Hartnell hosted a circus-themed party at the house. Birthplace of Princess Elizabeth of York The Duchess of York arrived at the property on 6 April 1926 in preparation for the birth of her first child.Elizabeth Queen Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother edited by William Shawcross Counting One's Blessings: Selected Letters of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Pan Books London 2013 978-0-330-53577-9 146Barrow Andrew Gossip: A History of High Society from 1920 to 1970 Pan Books London 1980 0-330-26223-8 29, 46 On the evening of 20 April the then Home Secretary Sir William Joynson-Hicks was summoned to No. 17 to be present for the birth,Spencershew Betty Royal Wedding MacDonald & Co London 1947 28 http://www.new.dli.ernet.in/handle/2015/77118 1 November 2025 and during the morning of 21 April the Duchess gave birth to Princess Elizabeth of York, reportedly in a "quiet room at the back overlooking the garden,"The Dismemberment of Berkeley Square – Princess Elizabeth's Birthplace The Guardian London, England 19 July 1937 6 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-guardian-the-dismemberment-of-berkel/183972746/ 1 November 2025 Newspapers.com on the first floor of the house.Montague-Smith Patrick W. The Country Life Book of Royal Palaces, Castles & Homes: Including Vanished Palaces and Historic Houses With Royal Connections Country Life Books London 1981 124–126 0-600-36808-4 Later on the same day the baby Princess' paternal grandparents King George V and Queen Mary were driven from Windsor Castle to 17 Bruton Street to see their new granddaughter. The Duke and Duchess of York and the young Princess left the house on 10 August 1926 to visit the Duchess's ancestral home Glamis Castle.Duke and Duchess of York & Princess Elizabeth leave 17 Bruton St for Glamis Castle The Daily Telegraph London, England 10 August 1926 11 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-duke-and-duchess-of/183973392/ 1 November 2025 Newspapers.com They continued to use the house as a temporary London residence, and were photographed on the front steps in January 1927 when they departed for their tour of Australia and New Zealand, during which they opened the newly-finished Commonwealth Parliament House in Canberra. Their household had relocated from 17 Bruton Street by the time they returned from the tour in mid-1927. Commercial use and demolition By January 1930 the house was available to be leased for commercial use.Offices in Berkeley Square – More Mayfair Changes The Daily Telegraph London, England 24 February 1930 8 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-offices-in-berkeley/183973337/ 1 November 2025 Newspapers.com During the same year it was one of approximately fifteen mansions on Bruton Street (including Nos. 11–19 and 15–20) purchased by the Canadian Pacific Railway Company, with the intention to demolish the houses to construct a large luxury hotel. The combined size of the parcel of land containing the 15 houses was 54,460 square feet; advertisements for an auction to sell as 99-year lease of the site, scheduled for 8 November 1930, note that the combined ground rent of the properties was £5,600.Mayfair Estate Liverpool Daily Post 4 October 1930 7 https://www.newspapers.com/article/liverpool-daily-post-mayfair-estate/184091942/ 1 November 2025 Plans for the construction of a hotel on the site were postponed in May 1931, and it was later announced in February 1934 that No. 17 Bruton Street would be used as the Company's headquarters in London. thumb|upright=1.15|Commemorative plaque at 17 Bruton Street, Mayfair. The house was demolished in March 1937; The Daily Telegraph reported that it would be replaced by a 145-foot office tower, noting that during the 1930s much of Bruton Street had been commercialised, and that the remaining buildings which "retain the appearance of private houses are in nearly every case dressmarkers' shops and offices."Making Way for a Skyscraper – 17 Bruton Street, London The Daily Telegraph London, England 13 August 1937 12 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-making-way-for-a-sky/183972700/ 1 November 2025 Newspapers.comMontague-Smith Patrick W. with contributions by Hugh Montgomery-Massingberd The Country Life Book of Royal Palaces, Castles & Homes: Including Vanished Palaces and Historic Houses with Royal Connections Country Life Books ; Distributed by Hamlyn London and New York 1981 126 0-600-36808-4 In 1938 Berkeley Square House was constructed over a large parcel of land which included the site where 17 Bruton Street had stood; the new building was reportedly one of the largest office blocks in Europe at the time of its construction, and one of London's first major reinforced concrete buildings.17 Bruton Street London Remembers https://www.londonremembers.com/subjects/17-bruton-street 1 November 2025 A plaque outside the existing building commemorates the site as the birthplace of Queen Elizabeth II. Architecture and interior Built in 1742, the design of the house has been attributed to Isaac Ware. In 1831 the house was described in a newspaper advertisement as a "capital mansion...near Berkeley-square, having a frontage of 54 feet and a depth of 130 feet, with a garden and seven-stall stable behind, opening into Bruton Mews. The mansion contains numerous suites of spacious rooms and all the requisite offices, and is held of the Earl of Berkeley for an unexpired term of four years from 3d of August next, at a ground rent of only £26 6s. 6d. per annum."17 Bruton Street, near Berkeley Square – 4 year lease for sale The Morning Post London, England 23 May 1831 4 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-post-17-bruton-street-near/183969541/ 1 November 2025 Newspapers.com A description of the house published in 1911 noted that "the façade of this interesting front consist of a fine treatment of the Corinthian order placed directly upon a rusticated basement story,"Richardson A. E. Gill C. Lovett London Houses from 1660 to 1820: A Consideration of Their Architecture and Detail Charles Scribner's Sons London 1911 59 https://archive.org/details/londonhousesfrom002868mbp 1 November 2025 and also noted that the house was "architecturally...somewhat cold; the attic story is a Victorian addition without merit." In an article published on 16 February 1934 in The Daily Telegraph described the house as having a "dignified elevation in the style of the English Renaissance," and containing "an ample suite of reception-rooms, including a ballroom measuring 50ft by 21ft." Following the house's demolition in March 1937, The Guardian reported in July of the same year that the house's exterior had featured an "imposing columned plaster front and a humble brick back overlooking a tiny stone-flagged garden with an old stables-still with a horse-box at the end,", whilst the interior included "stately entrance hall with a groined ceiling and relief medallions, probably by Flaxman." References Category:Buildings and structures in Mayfair Category:Demolished buildings and structures in the City of Westminster Category:Houses completed in 1742 Category:Buildings and structures demolished in 1937 Category:Georgian architecture in London Category:History of the City of Westminster Category:Houses in London Category:18th-century architecture in the United Kingdom Category:Royal residences in London by borough Category:Elizabeth II Category:Townhouses in the United Kingdom