a special ornament to this building." The prince's lodgings are described as a "freestone building, three stories high, with fourteen turrets covered with lead," being "a very graceful ornament to the whole house, and perspicuous to the county round about." A round tower is mentioned, called the "Canted Tower," with a staircase of 124 steps. The chapel was long and broad, with cathedral-seats and pews. Adjoining the prince's garden was an open gallery, long, over which was a close gallery of similar length. Here was also a royal library. Three pipes supplied the palace with water, one from the white conduit in the new park, another from the conduit in the town fields, and the third from a conduit near the alms-houses in Richmond. Archaeology During 1997 the site was investigated in the Channel 4 programme Time Team which was broadcast in January 1998. Lavatory innovation This palace was one of the first buildings in history to be equipped with a flushing lavatory, invented by Elizabeth I's godson, Sir John Harington. Henry VIII had earlier installed flushing latrines at Hampton Court. Richmond Palace today Structures of the former palace that have survived include the Wardrobe, Trumpeters' House and the Gate House, all three of which are Grade I listed. The Gate House was built in 1501, and was let on a 65-year lease by the Crown Estate Commissioners in 1986. It has five bedrooms. References External links Royal Richmond timeline Read a detailed historical record on Richmond Palace Trumpeters' House 1501 establishments in England 1660 disestablishments in England Houses completed in 1501 Buildings and structures demolished in 1660 Country houses in London Former buildings and structures in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames Grade I listed buildings in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames Grade I listed palaces History of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames Houses in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames Palaces in London Richmond Green Royal residences in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames Tudor royal palaces in England Henry VII of England Elizabeth I Henrietta Maria