The recent news stories on the continued drug use by the Hon. Nicholas Knatchbull have mentioned the family home, Broadlands, in Hampshire. The Queen and Prince Philip spent their honeymoon at Broadlands, as did the Prince and the late Princess of Wales.
I have visited Broadlands several times. A lovely Palladian home. The house also featured the Mountbatten exhibit, which is fascinating. Most people do not realize that Broadlands is not currently open to the public. It will be closed this year and throughout 2010. The entire house is undergoing rewiring and major remedial work. The contents of the house were removed earlier this year.
According to Broadland's website, the 2011 visitor season may also be affected. In October 2008, it was reported that much of the house's piping was "lagged with asbestos." It will take more than two years to refit and rewire the entire house, as well as remove the asbestos. Lord and Lady Brabourne have had to move out of the main house, and will not be able to move back in until the work is completed.
5 comments:
Marlene, who would inherit Broadlands if Nicolas were to predecease his father? Does Norton have brothers, or would the line jump over to Pamela and her son Ashley?
Amy, there is nothing preventing Norton in leaving Broadlands to his daughter, Alexandra. The titles and house are not tied together. Norton has three surviving brothers, Michael-John, Philip and Timothy.
Michael has only daughters. Philip has two sons by his second wife and a daughter by his first wife. Timothy has 3 daughters and 2 sons.
If Nicholas does die before his father and without legitimate male issue, the Mountbatten and Brabourne baronies would eventually devolve to Michael-John, and then to Philip, but that does not mean the house would go to them. That's up to Norton.
Thanks for your response. I can see now that I was tying the titles and house together.
The house was Edwina's. She brought into the family - and for tax reasons, Louis left the house to his grandson, and not his daughter (who of course had her own home.)
Dear Marlene,
Thank you for this clear explanation.
I went to Broadlands with my two nieces "who were very very young then" just after Leonora died. It was so sad. But we were greatly cheered by the beauty of the home and the grounds. Thank you for mentioning Edwina. The whole history of Broadlands is very interesting.
We made a significant visit to Romsey Abbey, nearby. Romsey Abbey has it's own interesting history.
It was quite emotional for all of us, all having lost significant family members very recently before hand.
My earlier visit to Romsey Abbey was much more cheerful.
Thanks again for your clear explanation.
Cheers. Keith.
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