Royalists Catherine Zeta Jones And Michael Douglas reportedly moved into a new apartment in St James’s Palace.
The Hollywood superstars, fiery monarchists, considered to have rented a flat bee London‘s oldest palace that has recently become 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 neighbors.
An insider said, “It’s just perfect for their requirements when they visit the capital.”
Here, FEMAIL takes a look at 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 in St James’s Palace
Palace plays a ceremonial role in royal life
Princess Charlotte and Prince George hold hands with 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 carried by their mother, the then Duchess from 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 is Prince William and the Queen Consort watching King Charles chant an oath to maintain the security of the Church in Scotland, at a meeting of the Accession Council at St James’s Palace in London, to proclaim him 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 functions have also been held at St James’s Palace over the years – including Prince George’s christening and Prince Louis’ christening in 2018 – and the Queen’s Guard climbs there daily.
It also hosts up to 100 receptions a year for charities related to members of the royal family.
According to The Royal Family’s, the State Apartments are also sometimes used for entertainment during incoming state visits website.
Rental properties in the palace first became available in 2015. At the time, a source said: “In theory anyone can apply, but all potential tenants will be subject to security and background checks.”
Offices in 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 Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni at 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 4, 2022 in London
Home to Princess Anne, Princess Alexandra and Princess Beatrice
Princess Anne (pictured at an engagement at the palace, left) – who lives on the Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire – uses the palace as her city base when she visits London
Meanwhile, Princess Alexandra – Queen Elizabeth II’s cousin – according to Hello! In the photo, St James’s Palace
Charles and Anne at a ceremony at St James’s Palace on February 17, 2022 in London
Princess Anne – who lives on the Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire – uses the palace as her city base when she visits London.
Meanwhile, Princess Alexandra – Queen Elizabeth II’s first cousin – also has a grace-and-favor apartment in St James’s Palace, according to Hello!.
Until the fall of 2017, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie shared an apartment in the palace.
In 2018, Eugenie moved into Kensington Palace with her husband Jack Brooksbank, while Beatrice is said to have lived in the palace 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 year-old daughter Sienna, according to The express.
It’s unclear if Beatrice mistook 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 price. But it is behind a security barrier and thus cannot be rented out commercially.
In 2021, Beatrice unveiled a look inside her home at St James’ Palace, complete with sweet family photos, modern decor 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, whom she described as a “bonus child.”
Princess Beatrice revealed a look inside her home at St James’ Palace, complete with sweet family photos, modern decor and chic artwork. In the photo: 1. Artwork with pencil sketch 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
It was clear that she held the family close to her heart, the royal family’s living room was filled with photos of herself and Edo, as well as snaps from her travels around the world.
Pictures on the wall appeared to show her with her parents Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson and her sister Princess Eugenie.
In addition to the photos, the white walls were decorated with black and white pencil art.
Interior design expert Benji Lewis suggested that the look into Beatrice’s home shows her “accessibility” as it “didn’t resemble a ‘former royal residence.’
In an exclusive conversation with FEMAIL, he explained: ‘The background suggests someone who is interested in creating a homely, inviting interior, who likes structure and a sense of calm and who has no qualms about combining contemporary elements with more traditional elements.
‘The quatrefoil mirror has a great shape – especially with its thick, modern frame – but the prints on the left in their simple giltwood frame are more traditional, especially one finished with what looks like a detailed mount.
There’s also an accessibility to things, the background doesn’t say “formal royal residence” – on the contrary, the room has a soft, friendly, calm feel to it, particularly from the inclusion of a large number of framed photographs, probably of friends and family.
‘In terms of lighting, there seems to have been some thought into the positioning of the overhead spotlights, to emphasize the mirror and the two prints, so we can assume that when the overhead lighting is (probably) dimmed, it will be a soft effect that is achieved.
“The soft gray walls are soft and unobtrusive, an uncomplicated easy canvas for displaying belongings and unthreatening as a backdrop for virtual appointments.”
An art lover, Beatrice has attended many events at the National Portrait Gallery, among others, while her sister Eugenie is the director of London’s Hauser & Wirth gallery.
To show her awareness of interior design trends, Beatrice also chose a neutral off-white wall, which emphasized her photos, which were framed in black wood.
She also added a statement mirror to the room, as well as a dresser with more trinkets and framed photos. Reflected in the mirror were long white curtains covered in a red and blue tree print.
