Buckingham Palace begins clear-out before major refit

LONDON: Works of art, clocks, chandeliers and furniture have begun being removed from Buckingham Palace as part of a major refit, royal officials said on Friday.

More than 200 rooms over six floors of the east wing, which faces out onto The Mall, will be emptied over the next six months to prepare for the replacement of ageing electrics and pipework. Objects being removed include 200 paintings, 40 chandeliers, 100 mirrors, 30 clocks, 200 books, 40 historic textiles and 560 items of everyday furniture, from beds to desks and chairs. It is part of a £369 million, 10-year project to upgrade Queen Elizabeth II’s London residence, which officials fear is at risk of a "potentially catastrophic" fire.