Laura Sedlak reports on a glorious London summer of royal celebrations, pageantry and timeless traditions
From military parades to garden festivals, exhibitions and open-air concerts, Buckingham Palace is opening its grand doors to visitors, and exhibitions showcase the finest royal fashion and jewels. Why not step back in time and discover medieval kings, Tudor feasts and the glamour of Edwardian society? Get ready for a truly regal summer in London.
Buckingham Palace
Where better to start than Buckingham Palace, the official London residence of the royal family?This summer the palace is busy with a line-up of military parades, the opening of the magnificent state rooms to the public and a major exhibition showcasing the elegance of the Edwardian era.
Lovers of royal tradition should head to the historic Horse Guards Parade on the evenings of 15-17 July when A Military Musical Spectacular pays homage to military heroes and honours the finest musicians in the British Army. It’s an evening of precision drills, music and pageantry, ending with a spectacular fireworks display.
The Edwardians: Age of Elegance, a wonderful exhibition at The King’s Gallery, explores the lives and tastes of two of Britain’s most fashionable royal couples – King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, and King George V and Queen Mary. From the public spectacle of Edward’s coronation to the period of profound change just before World War I, this was a lavish and glamorous era for the royal family. Works from the most renowned artists of the age are on display including some by Philip de Laszlo and John Singer Sargent, who captured the era’s spectacular fashions.
Faberge animal sculptures and Tiffany & Co diamond-encrusted opera glasses show the opulence of the royal lifestyle. A highlight is Queen Alexandra’s gold coronation dress, which hasn’t been displayed for 30 years. Made with gold spangles that glittered under the newly installed electric lights in Windsor Castle, the dress caused a sensation at the time, crowning Alexandra as a fashion trailblazer.
For a more intimate look at contemporary royal life, Buckingham Palace opens the doors to its magnificent State Rooms each summer. From 10 July to 28 September, visitors can explore these rooms in Buckingham Palace, which are used by the king for ceremonial occasions and official entertaining. Each room is furnished with treasures from the Royal Collection, including paintings by Rembrandt and Rubens and some of the most exquisite furniture in the world. Visitors can also access The Royal Mews, a magnificent working stables and home to historic royal carriages, as well as Buckingham Palace Garden. Why not combine your visit with a guided walking tour led by an expert warden?
Historic royal hotspots
At London’s iconic Tower of London castle, home of the Crown Jewels, you can get up close to the tower’s Yeoman Warders (Beefeaters) and the seven famous ravens that still guard the ancient walls. Throughout the summer, the lawn within the tower walls is stained red with nearly 30,000 ceramic poppies in commemoration of 80 years since the end of World War II. Designed to create a ‘wound’ in the castle, you can also learn about the history of the tower during the war, when it was bombed throughout the Blitz.
Meanwhile, Kensington Palace in pretty Kensington Gardens was the birthplace of Queen Victoria and home to many young royals over the centuries. As well as discovering the rooms where Victoria was raised, visitors have access to the beautiful private rooms and the Jewel Room, which displays Queen Victoria’s many treasures. This summer, the blockbuster exhibition Dress Codes puts never-before-seen items on display from the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection including those worn by a young Queen Elizabeth II, Diana, Princess of Wales, Dame Vivienne Westwood and Queen Victoria.
The royal residence of King Henry VIII, Hampton Court Palace, has magnificent grounds that are perfect for exploring in the summer. Cheer on your favourite knight at Henry VIII’s Joust on 12-13 and 19-20 July.
Just on the western edge of London, discover more than 1,000 years of history at Windsor Castle, the world’s oldest and largest occupied castle. Explore the opulent state apartments, see the impressive dolls’ house Queen Mary played with, and watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony (Thu & Sat).
The Household Cavalry Museum
Explore the history and accomplishments of The Household Cavalry at this living museum in Whitehall. Go behind the scenes to learn about the ceremonial and armoured reconnaissance roles of The King’s Mounted Bodyguard. You can also watch the Changing of the King’s Life Guard (Mon, Wed & Fri, 11am) and the daily 4pm inspection.
For visitors to London who are interested in royal life both past and present, the city and beyond offers a remarkable glimpse behind palace doors. From jousting knights to jewels, there’s something for everyone.
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