The Queen's telephone. - Page 2 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

OscarFoxtrot · 2nd Apr 2020, 8:17 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brigham

She doesn't look right holding a modern 746 in that room setting.

It goes nicely with her electric fires

AC/HL · 2nd Apr 2020, 8:40 pm

I would think that messaging was by hand before a telephone system was installed in modern times. That's quite possibly the only instrument that has been there. It's highly unlikely that a radio operated system would be used in these insecure days.

OscarFoxtrot · 3rd Apr 2020, 10:03 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by AC/HL

I would think that messaging was by hand before a telephone system was installed in modern times.

The Duke of Edinburgh (being an ex-Navy man) was apparently rather appalled when he moved into Buck House and found communication was solely by means of notes passed via footmen, and had a Dictograph intercom system installed.

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...6&postcount=14

https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/a...e-a3f500ebab87

The BT Digital archives refer to a telephone line connecting Buckingham Palace to an NTC exchange: February 1896.

and

1911-1935: Papers relating to telephone services for Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace including question of apportionment of cost of staff and revision of charges for the operation of a private branch exchange; facilities for the superintendent, Royal Mews and the Queen's footman's room, Buckingham Palace; request by the Court postmaster for telephones 162 to replace old patterns at the Royal Mews

http://www.digitalarchives.bt.com/Ca.../Advanced.aspx (search for Buckingham Palace)

Heatercathodeshort · 3rd Apr 2020, 4:48 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by OscarFoxtrot

As well as some old phones being adapted because The Queen liked them, including one given to George VI her father, the Monarch(?) (aptly enough!)

Was it manufactured by BSR? J.

Pellseinydd · 3rd Apr 2020, 6:29 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by OscarFoxtrot

Quote:

Originally Posted by AC/HL

I would think that messaging was by hand before a telephone system was installed in modern times.

The Duke of Edinburgh (being an ex-Navy man) was apparently rather appalled when he moved into Buck House and found communication was solely by means of notes passed via footmen, and had a Dictograph intercom system installed.

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...6&postcount=14

https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/a...e-a3f500ebab87

The BT Digital archives refer to a telephone line connecting Buckingham Palace to an NTC exchange: February 1896.

and

1911-1935: Papers relating to telephone services for Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace including question of apportionment of cost of staff and revision of charges for the operation of a private branch exchange; facilities for the superintendent, Royal Mews and the Queen's footman's room, Buckingham Palace; request by the Court postmaster for telephones 162 to replace old patterns at the Royal Mews

http://www.digitalarchives.bt.com/Ca.../Advanced.aspx (search for Buckingham Palace)

Interesting that the Dictograph telephone is claimed to date from the 1960's/70's and to have been put in at the request of the Duke of Edinburgh!

If you look carefully, you'll see key's marked 'King, 'Queen, and 'Prince of Wales'. The only time all three were living at the same time was pre-1936 !!

The next 'Price of Wales' didn't appear until 1969 by which time the King had been long gone! - the previous Prince of Wales became King Edward the 8th in early 1936. So that doesn't description seem to be correct.

The Queen (Victoria) was 'well connected' see attached entries from an 1897 telephone directory that she appears in.

See also photos of the PMBX that served Buckingham Palace in the BT Museum store about 20 years ago. Awaiting removal to Museum of London.

Ian J

duncanlowe · 3rd Apr 2020, 7:50 pm

In the 1980s (1984 or 1985) there was definately an operator who answered calls to at least one number, and routed calls to extensions within the palace, as I had reason to call a friend who worked there at the time in the Royal coffee rooms.

OscarFoxtrot · 3rd Apr 2020, 8:08 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pellseinydd

Interesting that the Dictograph telephone is claimed to date from the 1960's/70's and to have been put in at the request of the Duke of Edinburgh!

If you look carefully, you'll see key's marked 'King, 'Queen, and 'Prince of Wales'. The only time all three were living at the same time was pre-1936 !!

Perhaps the labels referred to bedrooms or offices named after those titles, even if they were unoccupied by them.

2nd Apr 2020, 8:40 pm	#22
AC/HL Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 9,642	Re: The Queen's telephone. I would think that messaging was by hand before a telephone system was installed in modern times. That's quite possibly the only instrument that has been there. It's highly unlikely that a radio operated system would be used in these insecure days.

3rd Apr 2020, 7:50 pm	#26
duncanlowe Nonode Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Stafford, Staffs. UK. Posts: 2,532	Re: The Queen's telephone. In the 1980s (1984 or 1985) there was definately an operator who answered calls to at least one number, and routed calls to extensions within the palace, as I had reason to call a friend who worked there at the time in the Royal coffee rooms.