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The ghost of Hampton Court?
By David Harding, Metro Last updated at 00:00am on 19.12.03
Could this be the Hampton Court ghost?
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.'
Reader views (14)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
I was just visiting the palace. I had heard that there were ghosts in the gallery but upon entering one small room, The hair stood up on my neck and I could not go in it. I tried to go in, but I felt something was in there. It was very sinister...especially the closet. I was later told that there is a spot where 12 people have fainted outright, but they won't say where it is. It's the same place every time.
- Carol, Ocean NJ USA
spooky
- Emily, london
There have been several ghost sightings at Hampton Court Palace. Why consentrate on this one?
- Aidan Birkin, Conisbrough, England
There will have to be something more concrete than that to convince me. It looks like a man dressed up; pure and simple. I can't see what all the fuss is about. Cold spots! Unearthly singing! Sorry but I'm a sceptic through and through.
- A. Morgan, Australia
You'll find out that the picture taken in the upper right hand corner is actually an employee who later admitted to playing a practical joke. See for yourself--the professionals did.
- Sophie Anderson, Portland, OR U.S.A.
People should beleve it! its true i promise
- Danielle, Haverhill, England UK
Hi i am in year 7, and we are learing about ghosts. When my teacher showed my the video clip i was terrified! This is amazming! You should put a CCTV camra by the doors that opened and every room to see if there are any ghosts! If you see somethink suspishious you should send a copy of it to th new
- Ellen, England Hayes
As a child I stayed at Hampton Court. A relation lived in the grace and favour flats. I was left in no doubt about the haunting and apart from placing Mrs Shackleton's bread in her basket, the whole place was anything but normal. J G Smith
- john G. Smith, gateshead
Aura - pass me some of that what you have been smoking please!
- Beavis, Durham UK
There is defiantly something very unearthly about The Hampton Court Palace, I have no doubt that there are ghosts inhabiting the palace. The Hampton Court Palace is pretty close to my university and on a day off I decided to visit. When I went into the chapel and the gallery it was very creepy, suddenly cold is some palaces. As I was walking out of the Gallery my friends and I heard very sinister screams! But no-one was there...I couldn't tell if someone was playing a joke but it was extremely scary! I m not 100% sure about this siting above...however the figure does not seem to look human to me. Its very sinister.
- Priya, London
My school went to hampton court and we saw a cloak in the gallery, it matches the one on the computer, it was scary.
- Thomas, cambely
There are many spirit dimensions at Hampton Court, the unearthly singing is part of what may have happened there. People shouldn't look up at the sky for the spirit world as it isn't there, but all round us in another time dimension.
- Aura, Salisbury, UK
I lived with my young son and some of his friends in a grace and favor house in Hampton Court several summers ago. We did not see any ghosts, but heard unearthly singing in the night, had cold spots where NOBODY, not even adults would dare to venture. It is a very spooky, albeit beautiful place.
- Mo Henry, Los Angeles USA
If you look closely there is a ladder with a foot on top of it which was probably used to open the doors.
- Jack, Swanage
