Today was our final day in London. After a nice breakfast in our hotel we checked out and stored our luggage so we could go on a final outing with our wonderful guide, Roxy.
We took a taxi to Buckingham Palace, and given the early hour (8:45), there were practically no tourists there yet. Roxy showed us the flag that was flying, the Royal Standard, which means that King Charles is in residence. Well, not exactly, because he and Camilla are currently staying down the road while the palace is undergoing some renovations!
Buckingham Palace is of course very iconic, with the changing of the guards, and the famous balcony where the royals come out to wave to the public (or kiss if it’s a royal wedding!) It’s just a simple royal residence of a measly 800 rooms!!!!
Moving out from the center gates we saw the beautiful statue of Queen Victoria, and from that location extends The Mall that most royal processions take. Since it was a pretty pleasant morning and the sun was actually trying to peek out, Roxy opted to take us on a beautiful walk to Westminster Abbey via St. James Park. This is a beautiful park, complete with a small lake and gorgeous flowers. I was very surprised in the last few days that considering it is the end of October, many of the flowers and bushes in Britain are still blooming! Quite a difference from the landscape in Michigan!
After our walk through the park we arrived at the Gorgeous Westminster Abbey.
Westminster Abbey is known for hosting every English coronation since 1066 and serving as the burial place for many monarchs. Originally founded by Saint Edward the Confessor, the current building was largely started by King Henry III in 1245.
This tour was absolutely amazing, and we got to see a chapel that dates back to 1066, the oldest door in all of England, and the tombs and memorials of several kings, queens, scientists and literary figures. This, of course, was in top of the stunning architecture and stained glass that surrounds it all!
One of my favorite items that we viewed in the Abbey was the Coronation Chair, which every Monarch has literally sat in since 1066! It only moves from it’s protected location for the coronation and then gets moved back. It’s most recent occupant was just 2 years ago when Kimg Charles sat in it. Before that it was his mother Queen Elizabeth, who let the chair remain immobile for 70 years!!!
All too soon it was time to head back to the hotel to collect our luggage and meet our driver for our trip to the airport. I can’t imagine our trip ending any better, and this morning’s visit was definitely a highlight of the trip!
Carpe Diem...seizing life's adventures 