Peleș Castle

Peleș Castle is a former royal residence in Sinaia, Prahova County, Romania, situated in a wooded valley beneath the Bucegi Mountains in the Southern Carpathians. It was commissioned by Carol I, Romania’s first king, who purchased the surrounding estate in 1871 with the intention of establishing a summer residence away from Bucharest. Construction began in 1873, initially under Austrian architect Wilhelm von Doderer, whose proposals were subsequently revised by Johannes Schultz. The first completed section was officially inaugurated on 7 October 1883, although extensive expansion continued until Carol’s death in 1914. Later architects included Émile André Lecomte du Noüy and Karel Liman, the latter responsible for much of the building’s present appearance, including its distinctive 66-metre clock tower, completed in 1906. The castle combines German Neo-Renaissance architecture with Gothic Revival, Italian Renaissance, Baroque and other historical influences, creating an elaborate structure of steeply pitched roofs, half-timbered façades, balconies, towers and ornamental stonework. Its lavish interiors contain carved walnut panelling, stained glass, paintings, tapestries, armour collections and furniture acquired from across Europe and Asia. Among its most remarkable rooms are the Hall of Honour, the Moorish Hall, the Florentine Room, the Imperial Suite and a private theatre that was later equipped for cinematographic screenings. Despite its historical appearance, Peleș incorporated unusually advanced technology for its time, including locally generated electricity, central heating and running water. The surrounding estate was developed with extensive landscaped terraces, ornamental fountains, statues and several smaller residences, including Pelișor Castle, built between 1899 and 1902 for Crown Prince Ferdinand and Princess Marie. Peleș remained a Romanian royal residence until King Michael I was forced to abdicate in December 1947. The property was nationalised the following year and opened as a museum in 1953, although it was subsequently closed for extensive restoration during the communist period. Following the Romanian Revolution, it reopened to the public in 1990, and ownership was restored to the former royal family in 2007 while the Romanian state continued administering the museum.

Peleș Castle has appeared in The Brothers Bloom (2008), A Princess for Christmas (2011), A Christmas Prince (2017), Royal Matchmaker (2018), A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding (2018) and A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby (2019). Its elaborate architecture has repeatedly been used to represent fictional European royal residences, particularly in romantic comedies and Christmas films, although its most unusual screen appearance is arguably The Brothers Bloom (2008), where it portrays the enormous New Jersey mansion of eccentric millionaire Penelope Stamp. A Princess for Christmas (2011) transforms the building into Castlebury Hall, while the three A Christmas Prince films establish it as the principal exterior of the royal palace in the fictional kingdom of Aldovia. Royal Matchmaker (2018) uses the same historic residence for the royal family of Voldavia. The productions make particularly recognisable use of the castle’s exterior, entrance courtyard, landscaped terraces and surrounding forest, although several of the interiors presented as rooms within the fictional palaces were filmed elsewhere, particularly at Cotroceni Palace and Bragadiru Palace in Bucharest.

In The Brothers Bloom (2008), directed by Rian Johnson, Peleș Castle portrays the extraordinary New Jersey mansion of Penelope Stamp, played by Rachel Weisz, a wealthy and eccentric heiress selected as the target of an elaborate confidence trick by brothers Stephen and Bloom, played by Mark Ruffalo and Adrien Brody. Having persuaded his younger brother to participate in one final scheme, Stephen brings Bloom and their accomplice Bang Bang, played by Rinko Kikuchi, to observe Penelope’s secluded estate. The castle is introduced at the end of a long, tree-lined private driveway, its enormous towers and elaborate façade establishing the almost absurd scale of Penelope’s inherited wealth. Stephen explains that she has spent most of her life in the mansion, isolated from the outside world but occupying herself with an extraordinary collection of hobbies, including photography, music, martial arts and numerous other activities. The brothers observe her from a distance while discussing how Bloom might approach her without revealing their intentions. Bloom subsequently engineers an apparently accidental encounter with Penelope by allowing her Lamborghini to hit him while he is riding a bicycle, eventually gaining an invitation to her home. The castle continues to represent Penelope’s residence during the development of their relationship, before the characters depart on an increasingly elaborate international adventure. Peleș returns in the film’s concluding sequence, set three months after the main story. Penelope has returned to her enormous mansion but is no longer content with the isolated existence she previously accepted. Sitting outside at a picnic table, she finishes writing a note, folds it and activates a small remote detonator concealed inside an ordinary ballpoint pen. The entire mansion suddenly explodes behind her, followed moments later by the destruction of a decorative plaster deer standing on the lawn. Without looking back, Penelope walks away, symbolically abandoning her former life before setting out to find Bloom. The destruction was achieved through visual effects, with the real nineteenth-century Romanian castle remaining completely unharmed. The sequence is an unusual example of Peleș representing an American private residence rather than a European royal palace.

In A Princess for Christmas (2011), directed by Michael Damian, Peleș Castle portrays Castlebury Hall, the ancestral residence of Duke Edward, played by Roger Moore, in a fictional European kingdom. The story follows Jules Daly, played by Katie McGrath, a young woman from Buffalo, New York, who has become the legal guardian of her niece Maddie and nephew Milo following the deaths of their parents. Shortly before Christmas, Jules receives an unexpected invitation from the children’s estranged grandfather, who wishes them to visit his estate for the holidays. After initially refusing, she agrees to accompany them to Europe, where the family arrives at the enormous castle and is greeted by its considerable domestic staff. Peleș provides the exterior of Castlebury Hall, with its towers, decorative façades, terraces and surrounding mountain landscape establishing the scale of the duke’s wealth. Although the residence is grand, the atmosphere inside is considerably less welcoming. Edward has remained bitter towards his late son Charles, whom he disowned for marrying Jules’s sister, and his strict household observes few of the Christmas traditions familiar to the children. Jules gradually challenges the duke’s rigid behaviour, insisting that the castle should have a Christmas tree and encouraging the household to celebrate the holiday properly. Meanwhile, she develops a romantic relationship with Edward’s surviving son, Prince Ashton, played by Sam Heughan, who takes an interest in the children and attempts to repair the family’s strained relationships. Ashton’s growing affection for Jules eventually threatens his existing relationship with the aristocratic Lady Arabella, leading to a confrontation during the Christmas Eve ball. Peleș establishes the royal residence throughout these developments, appearing in exterior views and arrival sequences, while additional palace interiors were filmed at Bragadiru Palace and MediaPro Studios in Bucharest. The film concludes with the reconciliation of Edward and his grandchildren and the developing relationship between Jules and Ashton, with the castle providing the fairy-tale setting for their new family life.

In A Christmas Prince (2017), directed by Alex Zamm, Peleș Castle represents the royal palace of Aldovia, a fictional European kingdom where American journalist Amber Moore, played by Rose McIver, travels shortly before Christmas to investigate the succession of Prince Richard, played by Ben Lamb. Initially expecting to interview an irresponsible playboy who appears unwilling to assume the throne following his father’s death, Amber is accidentally mistaken for a prospective tutor for Richard’s younger sister, Princess Emily, played by Honor Kneafsey. She takes advantage of the misunderstanding to enter the palace and investigate the royal family from within. Peleș is introduced through extensive exterior views showing its distinctive towers, central courtyard and surrounding forest, immediately establishing the grand residence in which most of the story takes place. One of the clearest identifiable scenes filmed on the grounds occurs when Amber accompanies Richard and Emily outside for an archery lesson. Emily demonstrates her considerable skill with a bow before persuading Amber to try. Richard stands close behind Amber to help her aim, but his proximity distracts her so badly that she releases the arrow in the wrong direction, sending it through one of the palace windows and into a painting inside. The three quickly attempt to leave before anyone discovers what has happened, although the formidable Mrs. Averill notices their suspicious behaviour. Another recognisable sequence takes place during an evening walk through the illuminated castle gardens, where Amber and Richard gradually become more comfortable in each other’s company. As Amber continues investigating the royal succession, she discovers evidence that Richard may have a legitimate claim to the throne despite revelations concerning his parentage. Her efforts eventually prevent his cousin Simon from seizing the crown, allowing Richard to become king before proposing to her. Although Peleș supplies the principal exterior of the Aldovian palace, much of its fictional interior was filmed at Cotroceni Palace in Bucharest, while Bragadiru Palace was used for the royal ball and Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy provided the setting for the succession ceremony. The Christmas festival benefiting Saint Joseph’s Orphanage was also filmed within the wider Peleș estate, using the historic buildings near its entrance.

In Royal Matchmaker (2018), directed by Mike Rohl, Peleș Castle portrays the royal residence of Voldavia, the fictional European kingdom ruled by King Edward, played by Simon Dutton. The story begins when successful New York matchmaker Kate Gleason, played by Bethany Joy Lenz, is hired by the king to find a suitable wife for his son, Prince Sebastian, played by Will Kemp. Edward is increasingly frustrated with Sebastian’s carefree lifestyle and hopes to see him settled before an important royal celebration taking place in a few weeks. Kate consequently travels to Voldavia and takes up temporary residence at the palace, represented by the historic Romanian castle. The property provides the architectural setting for her introduction to royal life and her increasingly complicated relationship with Sebastian, who initially resents having a professional matchmaker interfere in his personal affairs. As Kate spends time with the prince, she discovers that his public reputation conceals a considerably more thoughtful personality, particularly his involvement in charitable work undertaken without publicity. Their developing friendship gradually becomes romantic, although neither is initially prepared to acknowledge their feelings. Kate continues interviewing potential brides and eventually identifies Petra as a suitable match, arranging opportunities for the two to become acquainted. A carriage excursion through the surrounding countryside further complicates matters when Sebastian begins to realise that Kate herself may be the person he truly loves. With the royal celebration approaching, Kate becomes convinced that she has fulfilled her professional obligations and prepares to return to New York, despite having fallen in love with the prince. Edward eventually intervenes, encouraging her to reconsider, and the story concludes with Sebastian abandoning his proposed match and declaring his love for Kate during the royal ball. Peleș Castle’s imposing exterior and landscaped estate establish Voldavia’s royal residence throughout the film, continuing its association with fictional European monarchies in romantic television productions.

In A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding (2018), directed by John Schultz, Peleș Castle returns as the royal palace of Aldovia one year after the events of the original film. Amber Moore, played by Rose McIver, travels back to the kingdom with her father Rudy to prepare for her marriage to King Richard, played by Ben Lamb. The castle is reintroduced through exterior views of the forested approach, towers, terraces and courtyard, retaining the architectural identity established in A Christmas Prince (2017). Amber soon discovers that becoming a member of the royal family involves considerably more restrictions than she anticipated, particularly when Mrs. Averill and an extravagant wedding planner named Sahil begin controlling nearly every aspect of the approaching ceremony. At the same time, Richard is struggling with the failure of his New Aldovia economic development initiative, which has left local businesses without promised funding and caused increasing public dissatisfaction. Several of the film’s lighter scenes take place around the palace grounds and surrounding winter landscape, including Amber’s continued attempts to improve her archery skills with Princess Emily, during which she accidentally damages a decorative statue. Amber and Richard also take a romantic horse-drawn carriage excursion to select a Christmas tree, temporarily escaping the pressures of royal life. As the wedding approaches, Amber begins investigating the disappearance of government funds and discovers that an apparently legitimate business organisation called the Glockenspiel Consortium has been diverting money intended for Aldovian workers. With assistance from Emily and Richard’s cousin Simon, she eventually exposes Lord Leopold, played by Simon Dutton, as the person responsible. Following his arrest, Richard promises to restore the missing funds, and the couple finally proceed with their wedding. Peleș Castle continues to represent the royal residence through exterior photography, while Cotroceni Palace supplies additional interiors. The wedding ceremony itself was filmed on a specially constructed set at Castel Film Studios in Bucharest rather than inside the historic castle.

In A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby (2019), directed by John Schultz, Peleș Castle once again represents the royal palace of Aldovia, now the official residence of King Richard and Queen Amber, played by Ben Lamb and Rose McIver. The third film takes place approximately one year after their marriage, with Amber heavily pregnant and preparing for the arrival of the couple’s first child. The palace becomes the centre of an international diplomatic gathering when King Tai and Queen Ming of the neighbouring kingdom of Penglia arrive to renew a peace treaty originally signed six centuries earlier. Peleș Castle is reintroduced through its decorated exterior, terraces and surrounding grounds, now representing a royal household preparing simultaneously for Christmas, a state visit and the birth of a future heir. The formal celebrations take an unexpected turn when the original treaty mysteriously disappears shortly before the signing ceremony. With a severe snowstorm having prevented anyone from leaving the palace, Amber realises that the missing document must still be somewhere inside the building and begins investigating the members of the household. The situation becomes increasingly urgent when Princess Emily discovers an ancient legend claiming that failure to renew the treaty before midnight on Christmas Eve will place a curse upon the firstborn child of the reigning monarchs. As Amber’s due date approaches, the palace is effectively transformed into an enclosed setting for a mystery involving the royal family, visiting dignitaries and domestic staff. The investigation eventually leads to Mr. Little, a longtime palace attendant descended from an aristocratic family connected to the original treaty. After Amber goes into labour, Emily and Queen Helena search the palace dungeon and discover the missing document concealed beneath a stone. The treaty is recovered just in time for the four monarchs to sign it, averting the diplomatic crisis and the supposed curse before Amber gives birth to a daughter named Elleri. The production returned to Peleș Castle in March 2019, with the historic building decorated for Christmas despite filming taking place outside the winter season. The castle’s terrace was among the areas prepared for photography, while other scenes representing the Aldovian palace were completed at additional Romanian locations. By the release of The Royal Baby, the exterior of Peleș had become an established visual element connecting all three films in the series.

Peleș Castle (2022)

---