After 70 years of service, Queen Elizabeth II was laid to relaxation in 2022. Britain’s longest-ever serving monarch has been succeeded by King Charles III and as with all the sovereigns that preceded them, the present Royal Household has left its personal indelible imprint on London.
For hundreds of years, British aristocracy has constructed palaces, landscaped gardens, paid for locations of worship and had their legacy forged in bronze, stone and gilded-precious metals. Right here’s the easiest of Royal London, from Buckingham Palace to Queen Elizabeth II’s favourite grocery store, Fortnum and Masons.
Buckingham Palace
Residence of the reigning British monarch since Queen Victoria (r. 1837–1901), this grand neo-classical place within the Metropolis of Westminster is now the official London residence of King Charles III (r. 2022– ).
A triumph of neo-classical structure, full with a Twentieth-century Portland stone façade, the central balcony of the east wing is the place the Royal Household seem throughout particular events, together with the Trooping of the Shade, an annual army show that has marked the monarch’s birthday for 260 years.
Flanked by each St James’ and Inexperienced Park, crowds will usually collect across the 25m-high Victoria Memorial, which seems out in direction of the Mall, for celebrations comparable to Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond and Platinum Jubilees. Designed by sculptor Thomas Brock, it’s the tallest monument in England to be devoted to a monarch. Marble Arch had beforehand stood in entrance of the palace as a cour d’honneur, till it was moved to the northeast nook of Hyde Park.
The Palace takes its identify from the Duke of Buckingham, John Sheffield, who constructed the eponymous Buckingham Home on this spot in 1703. Purchased by George III (r. 1760–1811) in 1762, the Palace has been rebuilt and transformed quite a few occasions since. A lot of what you see in the present day is the work of John Nash’s Nineteenth-century, budget-busting redesign, together with the 2 wings that enclose the grand forecourt.
State Rooms
When King Charles III is away on vacation, guests can go to the Palace’s 19 richly-decorated State Rooms, its gardens, and the fantastic Throne Room, which options the chair upon which Queen Elizabeth II was topped. Observe that following the loss of life of the Queen in 2022, the State Rooms are closed till at the very least the tip of October 2022.
The Royal Mews
The Royal Mews, which incorporates the King’s stables, is not going to reopen to guests till 2023. As an alternative, go to the Family Cavalry Museum to explores the work of the King’s two Family Cavalry regiments
The Queen’s Gallery
Opened in 2002 as a part of the Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, this £20 million artwork gallery inside Buckingham Palace homes the Royal Assortment of artwork. Sympathetically designed to be consistent with John Nash’s beliefs for Buckingham Palace, the gallery was initially a conservatory earlier than Queen Victoria had it transformed into a non-public chapel in 1843.
Bombed throughout WWII, the house was transformed right into a gallery in 1962 and in the present day it showcases Previous Grasp work, artworks depicting Buckingham Palace, and works by Rembrandt, Van Dyck, and Rubens. The Queen’s Gallery has reopened following the loss of life of the Queen.
Altering the Guard
Happening outdoors of Buckingham Palace every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday (day by day in June and July), Altering the Guard is the ceremonial switching of the Royal Physique Guard detachments that defend the monarch.
It first came about beneath Henry VII (r. 1485–1509) and in the present day the regimental show of marching and pageantry sees sentries from the brand new King’s Guard go away from Wellington Barracks at St James’ Palace at 10:30 am and head of their distinctive scarlet tunics and tall bearskin caps all the way down to Buckingham Palace, to interchange the responsibility troopers. Accompanied by the bugles, bagpipes and drums of a army band, Altering the Guard is a formidable present of Royal spectacle. Arrive by 9:45 am to get a good view.
Diana Memorial Fountain
A brief stroll from Buckingham Palace is Hyde Park, the place you’ll discover the Diana Memorial Fountain, an enormous granite creation by Kathryn Gustafson close to the Serpentine Lake. In-built 2004 as a tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales who tragically died in a visitors accident in 1997. That includes water that flows in two instructions earlier than assembly in a pool, the sculpted fountain was designed to mirror Diana’s “inclusive” nature. There are three bridges the place guests can cross the water too.
Westminster Corridor
To comply with the route taken by the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II after it departed Buckingham Palace, head northeast alongside The Mall in direction of Admiralty Arch, the neoclassical stone constructing constructed to commemorate Queen Victoria. Once you attain Trafalgar Sq., flip proper down Whitehall and alongside to the Homes of Parliament, marked by Elizabeth Tower, the 96m-high clock tower beforehand often called Large Ben.
That is the place the Queen lay-in-state inside Westminster Hall forward of her funeral. The spectacular, echoey corridor was inbuilt 1097 beneath William II (r. 1087–1100), son of William the Conqueror. Its huge ceiling seems just like the hull of an upended galleon and is the most important timber roof in Northern Europe.
Vacationers can go to by guided tour when Parliament is in recess (dates change yearly, however the summer time break is often mid-July to September), which embody a glance contained in the Robing Room, the place the sitting Monarch will get dressed for the State Opening of Parliament. The Nice Corridor can be the place King Charles I (r. 1600–1649) was condemned to loss of life.
Westminster Abbey
Solely meters away from the Nice Corridor is Westminster Abbey the place the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II came about in 2022. Initially constructed beneath King Edward the Confessor (r. 1042–1066), the Early English Gothic-style church that survives in the present day was erected beneath Henry III in 1220 (r. 1216–1272) who grew to become the primary King to have his full ceremonial coronation held right here.
All of Britain’s monarchs since have been topped on the Abbey – apart from Edward V, who was by no means topped, and Edward VIII, who abdicated forward of his coronation. Thirty British Kings and Queens are buried right here too, together with Henry III who lies inside a formidable tomb. The abbey has additionally hosted 16 Royal weddings, together with that of Prince William and Catherine ‘Kate’ Middleton in 2011.
When visiting Westminster Abbey, it’s value the additional £4.50 to tour the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries, which boast unbelievable aerial views from 16m above the Abbey’s inlaid Cosmati flooring. Guests can see William and Kate’s royal marriage license, be taught extra in regards to the Abbey’s 1000-year historical past and discover an unlimited assortment of royal objects, together with coronation chairs, ermine robes, and picket effigies of earlier monarchs.
Kensington Palace
West of Hyde Park, Kensington Palace is residence to the Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate, and their kids. Initially the nation getaway of Britain’s solely joint monarchs, William III (r. 1689–1702) and Mary II (r. 1689–1694), the pair had the mansion prolonged by Seventeenth-century starchitect Sir Christopher Wren, of St Paul’s Cathedral fame, and added the Orangey.
A lot of the palace is open to the general public, together with the splendid King’s and Queen’s State Residences, and though few reigning monarchs truly lived right here, it nonetheless had a colourful historical past. Queen Victoria was born within the eating room right here in 1819 and when the palace fell into disrepair, she ordered for it to be refurbished. It was additionally the residence of Diana, the Princess of Wales when she died. Plenty of her robes are nonetheless on show.
Sunken Backyard
This wonderfully-manicured backyard contained in the grounds of Kensington Palace was initially modeled on the Pond Backyard at Hampton Courtroom Palace. That is the place The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan, introduced their engagement to the world.
There’s additionally a statue of Princess Diana right here, which stands overlooking a pond. It was sculpted by Ian Rank-Broadley. The statues of three kids standing with Diana are mentioned to indicate the generational affect of her work.
Kensington Gardens
The massive, 265-acre Kensington Gardens are one in all eight Royal Parks in London. In the event that they really feel like an extension of Hyde Park, that’s as a result of they as soon as have been. A lot of the landscaping right here was beneath the watchful eye of Queen Caroline, spouse of George II, who used water from the River Westbourne to create each the Lengthy Water lake – attracting each swans and different birds – and the Serpentine in 1728. With broad, tree-shaded boulevards and sharp, manicured lawns, the gardens are beautiful to wander round. They now embody quite a lot of new wildflower meadows too.
Albert Memorial
Positioned on the south of the gardens is the extravagantly-gilded Albert Memorial which was commissioned by Queen Victoria in reminiscence of her beloved husband. The 54m-tall monument was designed by George Gilbert Scott and took 10 years to finish. It stays one of many grandest high-Victorian Gothic works on the earth.
Tower of London
Out to the east of town is the Tower of London which was constructed beneath the watch of William the Conqueror within the 1070s. Its Norman-style White Tower is London’s oldest constructing, although a number of monarchs throughout the centuries expanded this former royal residence which was residence to each Henry III (r. 1216–1272) and Edward I (1272–1307).
Henry VI (r. 1422–1461 and 1470–1471) was murdered within the Tower, while Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard – each wives of Henry VIII (r. 1509–1547) – have been executed right here too. As was Girl Jane Gray, who reigned as Queen for 9 days in 1553.
The Tower of London can be the place the Crown Jewels are saved beneath lock and key. This dazzling assortment of 23,578 gem stones are saved beneath armed guard in Jewel Home and are nonetheless recurrently utilized by the reigning monarch for occasions such because the State Opening of Parliament. You’ll see a wide range of glowing crowns, tiaras, orbs and scepters, together with gleaming rings, weapons and tableware.
Crown Jewels controversies
Nevertheless, a number of the jewels will not be with out their controversy. The 105.6-carat Koh-i-Nûr (Mountain of Mild) diamond, which sits within the Queen consort’s crown, is believed to have originated from both India or Pakistan. Till 1839 it belonged to Ranjit Singh, Maharaja of the Sikh Empire.
Nevertheless, historians have argued that following Singh’s loss of life – and the next accession of his five-year-old son Duleep Singh – colonists from the British East India Firm imprisoned Duleep’s mom when he was 10 years previous. The British then compelled Singh to amend the Treaty of Lahore so they may declare sovereignty of his empire and the Koh-i-Noor diamond.
Equally, there have been calls from South Africa for the Royal Household to return the Nice Star of Africa, an enormous 530.4-carat diamond which was lower to take a seat within the Scepter with Cross and mounted within the Imperial State Crown.
Given to King Edward VII (r. 1901–1910) as a birthday current by the Transvaal authorities in 1907, politicians and historians say the diamond was taken illegally because the British dominated the federal government. Colonial powers have been additionally accused of taking lands and appropriating mines which belonged to native peoples.
St Paul’s Cathedral
This 300-year-old dome-topped masterpiece by Sir Christopher Wren has hosted a number of the Royal Household’s largest celebrations. Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee was held right here in 1897, as was King George V’s Silver Jubilee in 1935. Queen Elizabeth II then held her Silver (1977), Golden (2002) and Diamond Jubilees (2012) at this huge, emblematic cathedral. St Paul’s was additionally the place King Charles III (then Prince Charles) married Girl Diana Spencer in 1981.
Following Queen Elizabeth II’s loss of life in 2002, St Paul’s was the place the primary official rendition of God Save The King was sung throughout a particular memorial service. The cathedral’s State Bell, Nice Tom, additionally tolled 96 occasions following the Queen’s loss of life – one for every year of her life.
Clarence Home
For practically 20 years, King Charles III and Camilla the Queen Consort have lived on this fantastic pale-stucco mansion designed by John Nash. Queen Elizabeth II, the Queen Mom, and Princes William and Harry have additionally referred to as this residence.
Charles III will dwell at Clarence Home while renovation work is undertaken at Buckingham Palace. Excursions of the constructing are often by guided tour, nonetheless, the home might be closed all through 2022 and received’t reopen till additional discover.
St James’s Palace
Subsequent door to Clarence Home is St James’ Palace is the place the Accession Council met following the loss of life of Queen Elizabeth II. Constructed by Henry VIII, it stays a working palace and it hosted Prince Louis’ christening in 2018. Though it isn’t open to the general public, you may peek via the railings and see the nice Tudor gatehouse.
Nationwide Portrait Gallery
Present process a significant facelift till spring 2023, the Nationwide Portrait Gallery has scores of work that depict a few of Britain’s most revered Kings and Queens. Among the many portraits within the assortment are work of Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III (who sat as Prince Charles) and Prince William. There are additionally some fantastic works depicting everybody from Henry VIII and Richard III (r. 1452–1485) to Mary I (r.1553–1558) to King George III (r. 1760–1811)
Madame Tussauds
This fashionable (though expensive) West Finish museum has greater than 20 waxworks of the Royal Household amongst its assortment, together with a recreation of Queen Elizabeth II in her hanging Diamond Jubilee costume, a carbon-neutral waxwork of King Charles III and fashions of the Camilla, Queen Consort, plus the brand new Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate.
Fortnum & Masons
If you wish to eat like a King for the day, head to Fortnum & Masons, a luxurious retailer simply north of Buckingham Palace. Certainly one of quite a lot of companies with a Royal Warrant of Appointment – a mark that confirms they provide items or providers to the Royal Family – Fortnum’s was a favourite of Queen Elizabeth II. Based in 1707, its gourmand meals hampers are the stuff of legend.
