Security Cameras Capture The Ghost of Hampton Court? (King Henry the VIIIth)

London Evening Standard ^ | December 19, 2003 | David Harding

[EggsAckley]

Hmmmmm. I don't believe that ghosts need to use doors and stairs to move about, so I would doubt this is a ghost.

~</;o)

[FeliciaCat]

Spooky.

[2banana]

Looks like Jimmy Hoffa...

[Burkeman1]

I thought ghosts couldn't be captured on Cameras? Or is that Vampires? Which ones don't like silver?

[putupon]

This is hugh, people may lose their heads.

[50sDad]

I would be more worried that some whackjob SCA member is dressing up and keying into Hampton Court!

[Bikers4Bush]

The area of the picture with the "ghost" is suspiciously less in focus than the rest of the picture.

[50sDad]

I would be more worried that some whackjob SCA member is dressing up and keying into Hampton Court!

[Just another Joe]

That ghost ain't fat enough to be Henry the VIII.

[AnAmericanMother]

Two other things . . .

1. Ghosts don't cast shadows.

2. The doorway has been extensively modified, and this person is using the doorway as currently configured (reaching for handrails, etc.) The ground level at Hampton Court has changed considerably since the 16th century, and handrails didn't exist in doorways until the Brit equivalent of OSHA mandated them. Ghosts continue to "use" their site as it existed when they were alive (which is why ghosts are often sighted appearing to "wade" in the floor or walking several feet above the current floor level.)

That's a human in a funny costume, probably the drinking buddy of the photographer.

[BossLady]

It's the Ghost of Christmas Past finally showing up for the office party! :o

[BlueLancer]

"Which ones don't like silver?"

Vampires ...

[NeoCaveman]

That ghost ain't fat enough to be Henry the VIII.

Death. The Ultimae Weight Loss Program.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

I know it is the season for ghosts, ala Dickens.

But, it seems like they are taking over!

[Prodigal Son]

Here's the article that goes with it:

To the sceptic it may simply look like a fuzzy CCTV image of someone in a long coat walking through a doorway.

Experts say the long-coated figure could be the best proof yet found that things really do go bump in the night... and the day too.

The mystery surfaced two months ago at the 16th-century palace, once home to King Henry VIII.

Security staff heard alarms ringing near an exhibition hall, indicating fire doors had been opened. But on investigation they found the doors closed.

Perplexed, they examined CCTV footage, and that is when it got spooky.

The cameras showed the heavy doors popping open but no one there. Then, suddenly, the long- coated figure appeared and slammed the doors shut.

The guards were told the same thing happened at the same time - about 1pm - the day before.

To add to the mystery, the doors also flew open at the same time the very next day. But the ghostly figure has been spotted only once.

The suspected spook has not just been sighted by CCTV. Australian tourists also claim to have seen a ghost near the exhibition area. The palace, in West London, has ruled out its guides as suspects because they do not enter that part of the building.

Psychologist Dr Richard Wiseman said the spectre, nicknamed Skeletor, might prove to be a significant discovery.

'It could be the best ghost sighting ever,' he said. 'I haven't seen anything that would match that at all.'

[radiohead]

There is a gallery at Hampton Court where a ghost is supposed to frequent. When I took my son, to my embarassment, as we stood amongst the other tourists, he called out several times for the ghost to appear. Of course, nada.

I, too, wonder why the ghost in the picture has to open the doors to get out???

Nice place to visit, tho.

[mewzilla]

We spent a day at Hampton Court a few years ago. The atmosphere there made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end.

[Puppage]

I don't believe that ghosts need to use doors and stairs to move about

Says whom? Mortals? The movies?

BOO!

[ElkGroveDan]

Ghosts continue to "use" their site as it existed when they were alive (which is why ghosts are often sighted appearing to "wade" in the floor or walking several feet above the current floor level

Thanks for your scientific analysis of what a REAL ghost would act like.

[mware]

Looks like Dustin Hoffman in Hook to me.

[onedoug]

Who does his laundry?

[AnAmericanMother]

Yeah, my kids went down to the shore of Loch Ness below Urquhart Castle, held out their sandwiches and shouted, "HERE, NESSIE! HERE, NESSIE!" much to the amusement of the locals.

No Nessie, unfortunately. I told the kids she probably didn't like peanut butter.

[AnAmericanMother]

I dunno about scientific, just sum total of experience.

I have all the spiritual sensitivity of a rock, but lots of folks in our family do see ghosts. My great aunt has an old desk that is haunted by the ghost of my ggg grandfather. She's had a dozen locksmiths at it, but it continues to unlock itself and open itself up - even if you shim the front legs so that it's practically lying on its back. Weird.

[presidio9]

[ErnBatavia]

The mystery surfaced two months ago

That would be right around Halloween...

[RckyRaCoCo]

'It could be the best ghost sighting ever,'

[nuconvert]

"Psychologist Dr Richard Wiseman" Hmmmmmm. Were'd he get his degree?

I gotta agree with "dubyaismypresident". Looks a bit thin.

OFF WITH HIS HEAD !!!

[nuconvert]

LoL. Thanks for the ping

[nuconvert]

You new around here?

Welcome......

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Apparently Prince Edward, Queen Elizabeth II's son, is a ghost enthusiast.

If he thought this was one of his ancestors, he would give this story attention.

Just a thought.

[Miss Maam]

This is hugh, people may lose their heads.

Are you series?

You saw the movie, 'Elf', right?

ROFLMAO!!!

[Int]

The Evnin' Standard story says:

Australian tourists also claim to have seen a ghost near the exhibition area.

Actually, a different newspaper article on this story revealed the details: there was just an entry in the guest book which apparently was written in at around the same time by a (purported) tourist claiming they saw a ghost. That guestbook entry makes me doubt the story the most. Also, he looks too hollywoodish. And it was in October... Maybe it's part of the plan to "attract more American visitors" Seems like an inside job.

[Akira]

A face that white can only belong to Jacko...mystery solved.

[pearly_whirl88]

I just visited Hampton Court a few days ago and I talked to one of the workers there. He said that the ghost closed the doors a minute or two after they had been flung open. Therefore, the ghost was not trying to get out through the doors, he was trying to close them.
When I went to Hampton Court, I didn't see any of the ghosts, but then again ghost don't really reveal themselves when there are large crowds. The whole building gave me the creeps though, something was not right with it.

[pearly_whirl88]

they don't know that it is Henry VIII... no one knows who it is.