Lucy Worsley

Lucy Worsley is an architectural and social historian, writer and Chief Curator of Historic Royal Palaces. She specialises in Tudors to the present day.

Lucy has written numerous history books including: Queen Victoria: Daughter, Wife, Mother, Widow; Jane Austen at Home: A Biography; and The Courtiers: Splendor and Intrigue in the Georgian Court. She has presented and contributed to various TV programmes and series including: Six Wives with Lucy Worsley; Lucy Worsley's Royal Photo Album; Victoria & Albert: The Royal Wedding; and British History's Biggest Fibs.

Lucy's role at Historic Royal Palaces

Alongside Tracy Borman, Lucy and our team of curators are responsible for the way that the palaces are presented to visitors today. Their job is to share the stories of some of the most significant historic buildings in Britain: both architecturally, and as the settings for momentous events in English history.

Lucy joined Historic Royal Palaces as Chief Curator in 2003. She previously spent six years as an Inspector of Ancient Monuments and Historic Buildings for English Heritage as well as a stint at Glasgow Museums.

Subject expertise

Lucy has particular expertise in 17th-century architectural and social history, up to 1760; the social use of buildings; George II; and The household of William Cavendish, 1st Duke of Newcastle.

She has Honorary Doctorates from the University of Sussex (2015) and Open University (2013), a D Phil from the University of Sussex (2001), The Architectural Patronage of William Cavendish, 1st Duke of Newcastle, 1593- 1676, and a BA (Hons) in Ancient and Modern History from Oxford University (1995).

Lucy was made a member of the Order of the British Empire by Her Majesty the Queen in 2018 and in 2019 her programme Suffragettes With Lucy Worsley won a BAFTA.