In case anyone is interested I emailed Hampton Court and got a response. i possibly should have read the articles first - I had got the impression that they were standing by their guns. The email I got today is complete backtracking.
Dear Madam/Sir,
I would like to add my voice to the no doubt many to express disgust and disappointment at your policy on breast-feeding at Hampton Court. I am
a mother of two small children and, as a resident of Kingston, a regular visitor to the Palace.
Breastfeeding is natural, good for babies, discreet, and mothers and their children should not be banished to private rooms to carry it out. Some mothers will prefer such rooms but all mothers should have the choice. If you knew anything about the feeding patterns and other demands of babies then you would realise that to feed a baby always in private, whilst
simultaneously living a life that involved shopping, caring for older children, school runs, family outings, fresh-air and exercise, and
sufficient adult company to stave off post-natal depression, is simply not possible.
Bringing up children is one of the most challenging aspects of life. Doing
it successully benefits the whole of society. It is very disappointing to find such an important part of my local community so lacking in
support.
I would ask you to reconsider your policy. Take a bold step in support of the babies and young mothers who visit you in droves. Let them be the
babies and mothers they are, wherever they are in this beautiful palace. It is, is it not, a national treasure, there for the enjoyment of all? I look forward to your response
Thank you for your email with reference to Hampton Court Palace's
breastfeeding policy.
Although we do have a 'Mother and Baby' room at the palace with
bottle warming and baby changing facilities, running hot and cold water
and chairs, its use by visitors is optional. If visitors choose to
breastfeed their babies in the palace or the gardens they are welcome to
do so, but regrettably this is not what was communicated to Ms Mikkelsen
when she was visiting the State Apartments. We sincerely regret any
upset Ms Mikkelsen experienced during her recent visit with her daughter
and subsequently we have made a public apology to her.
As a result of this unfortunate incident we have invited the National
Childbirth Trust to the palace to discuss our practices relating to
young children and the facilities provided for them so we can work
together to develop a policy which meets the needs of all our visitors.
Historic Royal Palaces welcomes visitors of all ages to the palaces
that we care for, including families with young children. We provide an
exciting and entertaining programme of events by costumed guides
throughout the year aimed at young visitors (but enjoyed by all age
groups) to enhance their experience of one of the nation's most
fascinating royal attractions, and we hope that families continue
enjoying visits to Hampton Court Palace.
Best wishes