Throughout history, kings and queens have commissioned buildings all around the world but just how much has their vision shaped the cities of today? We explore the new book, ‘Royalty and Architecture’, with its editor Clive Aslet. Plus: we visit a place that saw everything from coronations to royal funerals and check on the rebuilding efforts of Notre Dame five years on from a devastating fire. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hello and welcome to the Urbanist, Monaco's program all about the built environment.
I'm your host, Carlotta Rubello.
Coming up, monarchs were very, very intensely interested in architecture.
They might not actually have held the pencil themselves, so to speak, but they were kind of like Louis XIV standing over the shoulder of his gardener.
Throughout history, kings and queens have commissioned buildings all around the world.
But just how much has their visions shaped the cities of today?
This week we peel open the pages of a new book, Royalty and Architecture, delving into the impact monarchs have had on the built environment, from Gustav III of Sweden in the 18th century to modern day UK under King Charles III, and how they have shaped architectural policy still used today.
Plus, we head to France to visit a place that saw everything from coronations to royal funerals, and check on the rebuilding efforts of the Notre Dame Cathedral five years on from a devastating fire.
All that ahead coming up over the next 30 minutes right here on the Urbanist with me, Carlotta Rubello.
So welcome to this week's episode.
Royalty have always built castles, fortresses, parks and even entire cities.
But just how much of today's urban environment is the consequence of an individual monarch's interest in architecture?
And in some cases, of acting as an architect themselves?
Clive Aslett is a writer on British architecture and life and a visiting professor of architecture at University of Cambridge.
He's also the editor of a new book called Royalty and Visions and Ambitions of European Monarchs and Nobility, which looks at just how important monarchs have been for architectural policy and the vision that shapes much of the cities of today.
Earlier, Clive stopped by the studio to speak with the Urbanist.
Sandra Tuck and Andrew began by asking him what the starting point was for the book.
Well, it was particularly true of Gustav III of Sweden, who was extremely interested in everything to do with the design.
He loved theatre, particularly.
He loved costumes.