While most Londoners navigate the city's bustling rental market, one 28-year-old has secured a home of truly historic proportions: an apartment within the walls of Hampton Court Palace.
From North London to a Royal Palace
Jack Joseph, originally from North London, made an extraordinary move in 2022. He now resides in the 500-year-old former home of King Henry VIII, situated on the banks of the River Thames in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. He took to TikTok to share his unusual living situation, clarifying that he holds no royal title and does not work for the palace in a traditional capacity. "This is just my home," he stated.
The key to this unique arrangement lies in Jack's even more unusual profession. "While I live in Hampton Court Palace, that's arguably not the most niche thing about my life. I'm a professional real tennis player," he explained.
The Ancient Sport of Real Tennis
Jack was quick to distinguish his sport from the modern lawn tennis familiar to most. Real tennis, known as 'court tennis' in America and 'jeu de paume' in France, is the original racket sport. It has a deep-rooted history at Hampton Court, where it has been played since the 1530s during Henry VIII's reign.
"Henry VIII used to play here and now I do because of my job," Jack said, showing clips of the game being played within the palace grounds. "This is my base, which means the place millions of people visit on a day trip is just where I live and go to work."
Life Inside the Historic Walls
Jack's TikTok revelations sparked a flurry of questions from fascinated followers. When asked about neighbours, he confirmed he is not alone, explaining: "There are three tennis pros that live here including myself, we each get our own apartment so I've got some neighbours!"
He also addressed more practical concerns, confirming that even pizza delivery is possible to his front door within the palace complex. Furthermore, he verified a unique tradition of his sport, stating: "Yep! All the real tennis balls are still handmade from scratch by the tennis pros."
Historical records from Hampton Court Palace's website support the site's long connection to the sport. It notes that a young Henry VIII was a keen and talented player. The first court was built for Cardinal Wolsey between 1526 and 1529, while the current court was constructed for King Charles I in 1625. Remarkably, three walls of the present court date from that period, with one external wall being an original from Wolsey's time.
For Jack Joseph, the grandeur of Tudor history is simply the backdrop to his daily life and the demanding, rare profession that allows him to call one of Britain's most iconic palaces his home.
