Claremont

Claremont, a royal residence, situated in a picturesque park near Esher, Surrey, 14-1/2 miles S.W. of London, on the South-Western railway. In the reign of Anne the estate was acquired by Sir John Vanbrugh, but in 1768 it passed into the hands of Lord Clive, who built the existing mansion. In 1816 the Crown bought the property from Princess Charlotte and her husband, Prince Leopold, and she died there next year. It was lent to Louis Philippe on his expulsion from France, and was the scene of his death in 1850. Queen Amelie and her family continued to reside there until her decease in 1866. Queen Victoria purchased it from the Crown as her private property in 1882, to make a home for the Duke of Albany, whose widow is still in occupation.