The Hampton Court CCTV
Footage DATE ARTICLE POSTED:
01.08.04
Ghostly
Figure Caught on Security Camera.
This stunning image of a figure dressed in period costume was
caught on CCTV camera at Hampton Court Palace in London. The
security staff were trying to discover what was causing a fire
door to open and shut of its own accord, they hoped that the
CCTV camera they set up facing the outside of the door would
reveal something, but they never expected to see a robed figure
reaching out to close the doors after the mysteriously opened
on their own.
A spokeswoman for Hampton Court
said: “We are baffled. It’s not a joke, we haven’t
manufactured it.” The security staff had been studying
the footage and have seen the door fly open on its own, but
this one particular time there was someone there to close
it, yet where had this figure come from?
Whoever or whatever has been caught on the camera is wearing
period clothing, and although there are costumed guides within
the palace none of them wear the fur-trimmed type robe that
is seen in the footage. This type of robe is the sort of thing
King Henry VIII himself a resident at the Palace can be seen
wearing in a lot of portraits.
This image was shown
worldwide.
The figure has been
enlarged in this image.
Media Frenzy Over Single Image.
The worlds media went into a frenzy when the images were made
public in December of last year (2003), the actual recording
was made in October. However most of the newspaper press and
television news coverage focused on just one frame of the
footage. This frame is remarkable in its drama and on its
own does appear otherworldly. Paranormal-Investigation has
obtained the entire sequence of images and has enhanced and
enlarged them.
Once the whole sequence of images
is stabilized and the contrast and brightness enhanced the
'Ghost' isn't as convincing. Not only is the figure very solid,
but he also shows a remarkable deftness at closing the fire
door.
Would a 16th century spirit know how to operate a Fire exit
door? We are sure most modern people have difficulty closing
them but the "ghost" seemed quite able to get it
to work, closing one side then the other. The motion of the
legs, arms and hands appear totally solid and are consistent
with that of known human articulation.
On even closer inspection there can also be seen what appears
to be another person in two of the images. It is possible
that someone did actually witness the doors being shut from
inside the Palace and they may hold the key to this mystery.
Paranormal-Investigation asks anyone who may have been in
Hampton Court Palace in October 2004 and may have seen someone,
perhaps a guide wearing a fur-trimmed to contact us.
HAMPTON COURT
PALACE BACKGROUND.
This royal residence dates from the sixteenth century
and has been home to some of Britain's most famous kings
and queens, including Henry VIII. Situated on the river
Thames in London and famous for its stunning gardens and
large maze, the palace also has the reputation as being
one of the most haunted landmarks in Europe. Many visitors
to the Palace, and indeed many people employed within
its grounds have reported strange sightings and unexplained
phenomenon.
Enhanced CCTV footage.
Frame 1
This Shows the fire doors ajar, not much can be seen
inside the actual palace.
Frame 2
The doors appear to open on their own and a persons
legs are visible inside the palace.
Frame 3
Similar to frame 2, the doors do not move and the person
inside only slightly moves.
Frame 4
The costumed figure appears in the doorway. This figure
appears suddenly which suggests the legs seen in frame
3 and 3 is of another person. Also the figure is wearing
a gown which obscures his legs.
Frame 5
The infamous still shot as used by the media. The gowned
figure reached out to close the doors.
Frame 6
He pulls one side of the doorway shut, in this frame
the length of his gown is demonstrated.
Frame 7
Reaching out to grab the other door the figure gives
us another full body shot. We can see a fur collar and
what appears to be long dark hair.
Frame 8,9,10
Although the figure is now obscured in the last frames
he demonstrates his ability to close a fire exit door.
"Rather like the Zapruder
footage of President Kennedy's assassination, one frame taken
out of context can tell a different story than the entire
sequence."
- R. Oakley, Ohio.
"I don't think
this is one of those elaborate hoaxes, it seems more like
a misinterpretation of some innocent occurrence. I have visited
Hampton court Palace and the costumed guides could easily
be mistaken for apparitions if they were caught on the 'Grainy'
quality of CCTV." -
B. Travers, Michigan.
Ghostly
Figure Caught on Security Camera.
