An Inspiring Weekend of History and Culture With Princess Olga Romanoff
An Inspiring Weekend of History and Culture with Princess Olga Romanoff
I was steeped in a fairytale village surrounded by greeneries and memories. The Provender House, home of Princess Olga Romanoff, left me speechless with all the stories and revelations. This place is a breathtaking 13th century house located near Faversham in Kent, beloved by several locals and visitors due to its secrets and romance.
It was restored by architect Ptolemy Dean, well known for the Queen’s architect and the surveyor of the fabric of Westminister Abbey and Malcolm Simmonds, whom together brought the house to light. The house reminded me how life away from urban city is invigorating.
The Provender House was named after its first owner, Sir John der Provender. In this place, there are magnificent vaulted solar with craved crown posts, which with the dining room, is restored and called ‘The Crown Post Room.’ Everything is extravagant yet elegant, the painting, ornament and each furniture tells a story just by appreciating it. Provender is unforgettable and well known for its inhabitants; having been home to adventurers, explorers, nobles, and Princess.
After Sir John der Provender, there came the de Viennes, who built the wing with the ‘Crown Post Room’ during the 14th Century. Then in 1633, James Huguesson became the owner, who is a ‘merchant adventurer.’ He remained the house for about 300 years. In the 18th century, the prominent naturalist Joseph Banks took over the House and planted Canadian Hickories, which still remains nowadays. Princess Olga’s family came to Provender House in 1890, from Finland and rented it from the Knatchbull-Huguessons. Then in 1912, the house was on auction when Sylvia MacDougall, daughter of Constance and Princess Olga’s grandmother bought it. Even though the house has been undertaken by different inhabitants and refashioned, much of the architecture is still intact and the historical charm remains as is. The restoration of the beautiful Provender House comes to show how seamlessly the historical and cultural details are retained. It gives me a sense of how this house is loved by the inhabitants which is hard to describe in words.
This room was filled with my favorite portraits. The beautiful paintings depict Princess Olga Romanoff’s childhood memories. There is also a painting of Princess Olga’s great-grand mother, Marie Dagmar, known as the Princess Dagmar of Denmark and Queen Alexandra of the United Kingdom, whom were siblings.
It was a humbling experience to have Princess Olga Romanoff wear some of our pieces that are part of the Royal collection. She wore the Royal Aurora tiara and set earrings, inspired by the European courts’ jewels and Art Deco movement.
While having a conversation with Princess Olga Romanoff, I firmly felt the fondness and passion she conveys toward the house. For her, this mansion possesses the memories that are timeless treasures of the heart.
Princess Olga has always loved animals and horses are a big part of heritage of every royal family. I loved spending the afternoon at the stable, having high tea in the garden in the middle of the British countryside, surrounded by nature.
Provender House isn’t just a spot but a home that fulfills memories of life within the past centuries. It brings the rhythms of nature and warmth to each visitor.
