Richmond Palace was a favourite home of Queen Elizabeth I, who died there in 1603. It remained a residence of the kings and queens of England until the death of Charles I of England in 1649. Within months of his execution, the Palace was surveyed by order of the Parliament of England and was sold for £13,000.

Queen Elizabeth I did not reside in just one castle but moved frequently between various royal palaces and residences throughout her reign. Her childhood was primarily spent at Hatfield Palace, where she was famously sitting under an oak tree when she received the news of her accession to the throne. As Queen, her primary residences included Whitehall Palace in London, which was the main seat of the English government, and Richmond Palace, a favorite retreat where she ultimately passed away in 1603. She also spent significant time at Windsor Castle, particularly during the summer months or during outbreaks of the plague in London, as it was considered a more secure and healthy environment. Other notable residences included Hampton Court Palace, known for its grand entertaining spaces, and the Tower of London, where she was briefly imprisoned as a princess by her half-sister, Queen Mary I, before later using it as a royal residence and fortress during her own reign.