Wed 23 Sep 2026

Claremont House: The Elmbridge Home with a Royal Past

Hidden among the leafy surroundings of Esher is Claremont House, a historic Elmbridge estate that has been home to princesses, kings and one of Britain’s most famous queens.

One of Claremont’s best-known residents was Princess Charlotte of Wales, the only child of the future King George IV. At the time, Charlotte was expected eventually to become Queen.

After marrying Prince Leopold in 1816, the young couple chose Claremont as their country home. They enjoyed a quieter life on the estate, away from the formality of the royal court. Sadly, their time together was short. In November 1817, Princess Charlotte died at Claremont following childbirth, aged just 21. Her death caused widespread public mourning across Britain.

Queen Victoria’s Connection to Claremont

Claremont remained closely connected to the Royal Family. Prince Leopold continued to live there and later became the first King of the Belgians.

His niece, the future Queen Victoria, was a frequent visitor to Claremont when she was young and developed a great affection for the estate. She continued visiting after becoming Queen, sometimes staying there with Prince Albert and their children.

Claremont later became home to another monarch. After the French Revolution of 1848, the deposed King Louis-Philippe of France and his family lived at the estate while in exile.

A Historic Garden You Can Still Visit

Claremont is also famous for its landscape. Over the centuries, its gardens were shaped by some of Britain’s most celebrated garden designers, including William Kent and Capability Brown.

Many historic features survive today, including the lake, grotto, Belvedere Tower and unusual grass amphitheatre.

Claremont House itself is now part of Claremont Fan Court School, but the adjoining Claremont Landscape Garden, on Portsmouth Road in Esher, is cared for by the National Trust and is open to visitors.

With more than 300 years of history and connections to Princess Charlotte, Queen Victoria and European royalty, Claremont is one of Elmbridge’s most fascinating historic places — and a remarkable piece of royal history right on the local doorstep.

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