The Ghosts of Hampton Court Palace

Hampton Court Palace, the magnificent Tudor residence on the Thames, is one of England’s most haunted buildings. Henry VIII’s queens, including Jane Seymour and Catherine Howard, are among the spirits reported within its walls and grounds.

The Palace

Cardinal Wolsey built Hampton Court beginning in 1515. Henry VIII seized it and expanded it into the grandest palace in England. The palace remained a royal residence until George III’s time. It is now managed by Historic Royal Palaces.

Jane Seymour

Jane Seymour, Henry’s third wife, died at Hampton Court in 1537 after giving birth to the future Edward VI. Her ghost, dressed in white, has been seen carrying a candle in the Silver Stick Gallery and Clock Court, particularly on the anniversary of her death.

Catherine Howard

Catherine Howard, Henry’s fifth wife, was arrested at Hampton Court and later executed. Her ghost reportedly runs screaming down the Haunted Gallery, reliving her desperate attempt to reach the King and plead for her life.

The Grey Lady

A Grey Lady haunts the areas near the entrance and State Apartments. Her identity is unknown, but she may be a servant or a lady-in-waiting who died at the palace. Her appearances are frequent and well-documented.

The CCTV Ghost

In 2003, security cameras captured a figure in period dress opening fire doors in Clock Court. The figure appeared on three consecutive days before vanishing. The footage was widely publicized and remains unexplained.

Other Spirits

Hampton Court hosts numerous other reported ghosts: a cavalier in the King’s Apartments, a woman in black in the fountain court, and various servants and courtiers glimpsed throughout the palace.

Assessment

Hampton Court’s intensive use as a royal residence over centuries created layers of human experience. The dramatic events that occurred there, including births, deaths, and arrests, have left permanent supernatural impressions.