While living like a king or queen is just for the chosen few, there are many royal residences around the world where us ordinary folk can take a peek at what it’s like to live the regal life. Explore the chateaux where Gallic kings grew up, potter around palaces where Portuguese queens spent the summer and saunter around sprawling complexes where Chinese emperors held court. Many modern-day monarchs open up their palatial pads so the public can enjoy their grandiose royal apartments, opulent halls and manicured gardens too.

Click or scroll through the gallery to see where you can indulge your regal inclinations with a visit to a royal residence...