Summary of "Why is the Pool at Buckingham Palace a Secret?" – Search Engine Podcast Episode

Episode Released: December 27, 2024
Host: PJ Vogt

1. Introduction to the Episode

In this intriguing episode of Search Engine, host PJ Vogt delves into a peculiar mystery: the secrecy surrounding the swimming pool at Buckingham Palace. Prompted by a listener's curiosity, PJ embarks on a two-year investigative journey to uncover why one of the palace's amenities remains shrouded in mystery despite the typically transparent nature of the British Royal Family.

2. The Mystery of Buckingham Palace's Pool

The episode kicks off with PJ introducing the central question: "Why is the pool at Buckingham Palace a secret?" (00:00). Listener Chris shares his fascination, noting that while Buckingham Palace is renowned worldwide, detailed information about its interior, especially the pool, is surprisingly scarce.

Chris (04:35): "So, okay, around the time of all the coronation drama, I went down this really insane rabbit hole looking up facts about Buckingham Palace... I wonder what it looks like on the inside."

3. Initial Investigation: Press Office and Networks

PJ and his team initially approached the Royal Collection Trust, hoping to speak with a historian about the palace's architectural features, including the elusive swimming pool. Their requests were met with silence, prompting them to expand their search through personal networks to find individuals with direct access or connections to the palace.

PJ Vogt (07:16): "Buckingham palace is different. It belongs to dynasts of one family forever. And the vast majority of its many rooms are only accessible to that family and their many servants."

Despite reaching out to various contacts, including friends of the royal household, responses were minimal or non-existent, intensifying the mystery.

4. Interviews with Experts: Ashley Hicks

Producer Garrett Graham introduces Ashley Hicks, a designer and photographer with intimate knowledge of Buckingham Palace's interiors. Ashley provides historical context, explaining that the palace's transformation over centuries left little room for public insight into its private amenities.

Ashley Hicks (18:13): "Buckingham palace, one of the most famous buildings on the planet... Home to arguably the world's most famous family."

Ashley reveals that existing documentaries, such as a BBC series, offer limited information about the pool, mainly depicting it through blueprints and distant exterior shots.

Ashley Hicks (22:19): "As Chris tumbled down this rabbit hole, he found that his curiosity was particularly drawn to one mysterious room."

5. Further Research and Investigative Efforts

The more PJ and his team dug, the more elusive the pool became. Attempts to contact former palace employees via LinkedIn yielded only three potential leads who had mentioned the pool in their profiles. These individuals, however, were either unresponsive or unable to provide concrete details.

Determined to find answers, the team sought assistance from Heidi Blake, an investigative reporter known for penetrating the secrecy of powerful families. Heidi suggested leveraging LinkedIn's extensive professional database to identify former palace staff who might be willing to discuss the pool.

Heidi Blake (30:11): "Everybody is on LinkedIn, and everybody has put their whole professional history on LinkedIn. So you can go on there and_you can say, show me everybody who has previously worked at Buckingham palace."

6. The Visit to Buckingham Palace

Emboldened by this new strategy, Garrett Graham traveled to London to personally investigate. Despite booking two palace tours during his visit, he uncovered little about the pool. During a garden tour, a tour guide briefly mentioned the pool but provided no substantial information.

Garrett Graham (54:19): "The new king has actually turned down the temperature a few degrees, so I'm swimming in it less."

Frustration mounted as the pool remained out of sight, with no interior photographs or detailed descriptions available to the public.

7. Final Insights from Hrithik Karya

The breakthrough came when Garrett connected with Hrithik Karya, a former Buckingham Palace retail assistant and current podcast host. With insider knowledge, Hrithik provided the much-anticipated details about the pool.

Hrithik Karya (63:35): "So, yeah, it's weird. Like, there is one. I think that that's the main thing. You wouldn't have thought about it?"

Hrithik clarified that the pool is a standard staff facility, akin to those found in public gyms and recreational centers, devoid of any extravagant features one might expect from a royal residence.

Hrithik Karya (65:09): "It's just a government funded gym. It's the basics that you need in the gym."

He further explained that stringent rules about photography and confidentiality contribute to the pool's obscurity. The palace's emphasis on maintaining the integrity and privacy of its facilities ensures that even mundane amenities like the pool remain under wraps.

8. Conclusions: Why the Pool is Secret

The investigation concluded that the Buckingham Palace pool is not a hidden gem of opulence but a modest facility reserved for staff use. The lack of public imagery and detailed information stems from strict privacy protocols and the palace's focus on maintaining discretion over its everyday operations.

Hrithik Karya (69:19): "If there's no reason for there to be a picture of it, there isn't going to be one."

PJ reflects on the cultural and national differences that may have initially hindered their quest for answers, acknowledging that British reservations about non-native inquiries likely contributed to the extended secrecy.

PJ Vogt (72:30): "The invisible wall had fallen. We could finally see what was on the other side."

Ultimately, the episode demystifies the Buckingham Palace pool, revealing it to be a straightforward, utilitarian space rather than a guarded royal secret. This revelation underscores the importance of persistence in investigative journalism and the value of cross-cultural understanding.

Notable Quotes:

• PJ Vogt (05:09): "If this is gonna be the only show on the TV or the Internet, you're gonna find like a minor, like, plotline that you can get into."

• Chris (08:53): "The reason that we haven't been able to see the swimming pool is actually what makes me feel like I need to see it."

• Heidi Blake (35:32): "I think part of it is like, if there's no reason for there to be a picture of it, there isn't going to be one."

• Hrithik Karya (66:10): "It's like a government funded gym. It's the basics that you need in the gym."

This episode of Search Engine masterfully combines listener curiosity with investigative rigor, unraveling a seemingly simple question that highlights broader themes of privacy, cultural perceptions, and the allure of the unknown within high-profile institutions.