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"Casa de Campo" de Queluz deve a sua passagem a Palácio ao Infante D. Pedro (1717-1786), segundo filho de D. João V e de D. Mariana de Áustria, e irmão do Rei D. José (1714 -1777). O projecto inicial foi confiado ao arquitecto Mateus Vicente de Oliveira, iniciando-se as obras em 1747. Em 1752 encontrava-se já concluída a Capela, profusamente decorada em talha rocócó da autoria do mestre entalhador Silvestre Faria Lobo. O projecto global sofreria, no entanto, alterações e ampliações sucessivas até ao final do século.

A uma primeira fase de construções, com o objectivo de ampliar a velha residência seiscentista situada na zona da actual cozinha, sucedeu-se uma segunda coincidindo com o anúncio do casamento de D. Pedro com a sobrinha, futura Rainha D. Maria I (1734 -1816), que teria lugar em 1760. Tornou-se, então, necessário dotar o Palácio de espaços e salas de aparato adequados a um Palácio Real, desempenhando papel fundamental neste processo o arquitecto francês Jean-Baptiste Robillion, que emigrara para Lisboa após a morte do seu Mestre, o ourives francês Thomas Germain.

Mateus Vicente, chamado para a obra de reconstrução de Lisboa após o Terramoto de 1755, permanece como Superintendente em Queluz, cedendo, no entanto, o papel principal ao arquitecto francês. Rodeado de um escol de artistas nacionais e estrangeiros, Robillion ocupa-se da decoração dos mais belos espaços - Sala do Trono, Sala da Música e Sala dos Embaixadores - acrescentando ao projecto inicial a ala poente, o Pavilhão Robillion e a Escadaria dos Leões, como solução cenográfica para vencer o desnível existente entre os jardins superiores e a "Quinta". Tanto os jardins geométricos "à francesa" que rodeiam o Palácio, como o resto do Parque são, então, decorados com estátuas, balaustradas, lagos e azulejos.

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The Queluz "Country House" became a Palace owing to Prince Peter (1717-1786), the second son of King John V and Queen Mariana of Austria, and brother of King José (1714-1777). The original project was committed to the architect Mateus Vicente de Oliveira and the work began in 1747. By 1752, the Chapel had been completed and profusely decorated with Rococo carving produced by master Silvestre Faria Lobo. However, the general plan would be successively altered and extended throughout the rest of the century. The first phase of the building work was designed in order to extend the 16th century residence, located in what is now the kitchen area, while the second coincided with the announcement of Prince Peter's wedding to his niece, the future Queen Mary I (1734-1816), an event which took place in 1760. The purpose of the second phase was to endow the building with the spaces and ceremonial rooms befitting a Royal Palace. The architect who played a leading role in this process was a Frenchman called Jean-Baptiste Robillon, who had moved to Lisbon after the death of his master, the French jeweller and goldsmith Thomas Germain.

Mateus Vicente, who had been summoned to assist in rebuilding Lisbon after the Earthquake of 1755, was appointed Superintendent of Queluz, but left the main role to Robillon. Surrounded by the pick of Portuguese and foreign artists, Robillon busied himself decorating the most attractive areas - the Throne Room, the Music Room and the Ambassadors' Room - and added the west wing, the Robillon Pavilion and the Lion Staircase to the original plan. The last of these was introduced as a means to link the different levels of the upper gardens and the "Quinta" itself. Both the geometrical French-style gardens that surround the Palace and the rest of the park were decorated with statues, balustrades, lakes and glazed tiles.