This is the final tale of London hauntings for December and this one has a ghost who only appears, they say, on Christmas Day.
The frontage of Buckingham Palace is probably one of the best known buildings in the world. Many people believe that it is the home to Queen Elizabeth II. But it is more correct to describe it as her official residence – the “office” where affairs of State are usually carried out. The palace website states that it contains a total of 775 rooms of which 19 are State rooms, 52 Royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms.
The palace caters for up to 50,000 visitors a year and one uninvited guest. This is a monk who apparently haunts the palace on one day of the year – Christmas Day. Since the Queen and her family usually spend the Christmas period at Sandringham Palace in Norfolk, we don’t know whether she or other members of the family have seen him.
The legend goes that there was once a monastery on the site of the palace and it is said that as a punishment he was locked up in a cell where he starved to death. But if you walk down The Mall on Christmas Day hoping to catch a glimpse of the ghost, you’re likely to be disappointed. His appearances are said to be limited to the rear of the building – the part that overlooks the private gardens.
There is a terrace along this side and it is here that he stumbles on his way. He is described as being bound in chains and like most good ghosts he can be heard moaning about his predicament. As he reaches the end of the terrace he is said to fade away until his return the next Christmas Day.
For many more tales of London ghosts, go to:
www.amazon.co.uk/Secret-Haunted-London/dp/1532976127/
A Happy and Safe Christmas to you all.
John Pullen 