QUEEN MARY’S STEPS, WHITEHALL PALACE
In 1691, Sir Christopher Wren designed for Queen Mary II a terrace overlooking the Thames in front of the old river wall of Whitehall Palace built by Henry VIII. This terrace, projecting about 70 feet into the bed of the river, was about 280 feet long. As it involved the destruction of an earlier private landing stage a curving flight of steps was made at each end to give access from the Royal Apartments to the State Barge.
In 1939 excavations for the new Government Building revealed the river wall of the Tudor Palace, the later terrace wall and the Northern flight of steps. The upper portion of the steps has been repaired and can be seen. A reconstructed length of the terrace can be seen immediately to the left of the steps and a rebuilt section of the river wall behind and above the terrace.

The stairs built for Queen Mary II lead from her residence to the banks of the Thames, so she can easily reach the royal barge.

The place was photographed that day Click for a larger image