Middle Aged Mama

Blogging about my Midlife Adventures

Snapshots from London: Royal Experiences

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Originally I was going to share our photos from London in this post – but there was just too blinking many of them!

So the best way around it was to split them up into different themes. With London alone, I think I’ve got more than enough photos to keep me busy for the next few weeks 😉 .

I have long been a fan of the royals, so no trip to London was complete without making sure we had some right royal experiences. Sadly, we didn’t get to meet any of the royals … or did we?!

Royals at Madame Tussaud's
Hanging out with the Royals at Madame Tussaud’s. Aren’t William and Kate tall (and thin!)? Shame I forgot my tiara and evening gown!
Janet at Buckingham Palace
When we arrived at Buckingham Palace, sadly Lizzie was out … some business about opening the Chelsea Flower Show, I believe?!
Outside Buckingham Palace
It didn’t matter how much I tried, these guys weren’t going to let me in!
Victoria Memorial In front of Buckingham Palace
Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace

Kensington Palace

Kensington Palace
No wonder Diana preferred Kensington Palace – it’s much prettier
Devonshire Tea at KP
Even though Wills and Kate were in the country with Prince George and new baby Charlotte, their staff kindly offered us a cream tea – how could we refuse?!
Kensington Gardens
We went for a stroll through Kensington Gardens
KP and hot chocolate
A hot chocolate was just the thing to warm up after our stroll …

The Tower of London and the Crown Jewels

Beefeater
Our tour guide – a Yeoman Warder (also known as a beefeater)
Inside Tower of London
Inside the Tower of London complex
King Henry 8
Check out this suit of armour, which once belonged to King Henry VIII – note the size of the codpiece!
Crown Jewels
Here I am, pretending to be one of the crown jewels 😉

 Around London

Queen Elizabeth 1
This statue of Queen Elizabeth 1 on Fleet Street is London’s oldest statue, and said to be the only one remaining that was carved during her reign.
St James Palace
St James’ Palace – apparently the Queen is now renting out apartments here, so you could move in if you don’t mind spending a quarter of a million pounds per year!

As we only had four days in London, we didn’t actually get to go inside any of the palaces or catch the changing of the guard. I’d also love to go to Hampton Court Palace, home to King Henry VII – ah well, there’s always a next time!

What royal experiences are a must-see (or do!) in your book?!

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Comments

  1. Great pics! And how exciting. I had no idea the Tower of London was a ‘complex’ I just assumed it was a building (well, a tower!!!).

    Deb

  2. Wow Buckingham Palace looks so different without crowds out the front! 🙂 Did you notice out the front of Kensington Palace that people let their dogs run around without a leash? We stopped here for a morning snack and we couldn’t believe that in front of a palace you could let your dogs go crazy! Although I have to add, the dogs over there are better trained than dogs here in Australia.

    • I loved Madame Tussaud’s … I think I will be devoting a blog post just to that in the coming weeks!

  4. Last year, when we were in London, my brother and my partner headed off to Greenwich for the day and I took myself to Hampton Court. I had the best time. Had a lovely morning tea with myself and spent ages with my little guide headphones on wandering and taking a gazillion photos. I highly recommend Hampton Court. Amazing how the others used to live.

    • That’s probably my biggest regret Libby, that I didn’t get to Hampton Court. Next time for sure!

  5. I think we did all of the above when we were in London. I really enjoyed Kensingston Palace as the gardens were glorious and the suburb of Kensington very upmarket. We did Ireland as well and I can highly recommend visiting some of the regal castles in this country. There were so many!

    • KP is beautiful isn’t it. Ireland is still on the wishlist … maybe for my 50th in 18 months time!

  6. Oooo, I love all these ‘royal’ themed photos! Despite having been to England several times, I still haven’t made it to Hampton Court Palace…and I would really like to. I did do the interior tour of Buckingham Palace on one trip though (I think it’s only available in July/August from memory?) It was fascinating to get a glimpse inside that iconic building. (Came here via Mammalovestravel)

    • Hi Fairlie, yes we were disappointed that we couldn’t see inside Buckingham Palace because we were there in May 🙁

  7. I never noticed the extra bit (codpiece – who knew it was called this either) on a suit of armour before. Kensington Palace – is much prettier.
    Happy #WW