Claridge’s hotel history unveiled in new book by Martin Williams

A new book by historian Martin Williams explores the extensive history of Claridge’s, the storied Mayfair hotel in London known as the ‘hotel of kings’. Developed over two and a half years with the assistance of the hotel’s archivist, Kate Hudson, the retrospective chronicles the establishment’s role as a sanctuary for dispossessed monarchs and a hub for high-profile figures.

The book details various historical moments, including the hotel’s reputation as an ‘annex to Buckingham Palace’ during royal events such as the 1947 wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten. It also covers discreet encounters, such as a meeting between Queen Elizabeth II and the Duchess of Windsor, and features a range of notable guests spanning from Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother to Kate Moss.