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DK Eyewitness Travel
ROYAL LONDON

INTRODUCTION

Home to the most famous royal family in the world, London doesnt disappoint when it comes to pomp and circumstance. From the unrivalled pageantry and glamour of Prince William and Kate Middletons wedding in 2011 to the daily massing of busbies at the Changing of the Guard, the spectacle of the Trooping of the Colour and the ceremonial State Opening of Parliament, royal events draw crowds throughout the year. For those seeking more of Britains heritage, the crown jewels are always on public display, guarded by elaborately dressed Beefeaters at the Tower of London, while dotted around the capital are numerous royal palaces and parks, world-famous churches, fascinating museums and splendid monuments.

The Tower of London, seen from across the River Thames

ROYAL CEREMONIES

Although the Queens role is now largely symbolic, the Guard at Buckingham Palace still patrols the palace grounds. The impressive ceremony of the Changing of the Guard dazzling uniforms, shouted commands, military music consists of the Old Guard, which forms up in the palace forecourt, going off duty and handing over to the New Guard. The Guard consists of three officers and 40 men when the Queen is in residence, but only three officers and 31 men when she is away. The ceremony takes place in front of the palace. In another changeover ceremony, the Queens Life Guards travel daily from Hyde Park Barracks to Horse Guards Parade.

The Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London is one of the capitals most timeless ceremonies. After each of the Tower gates has been locked, the last post is sounded by a trumpeter before the keys are secured in the Queens House.

The Tower of London and Hyde Park are also the scene of Royal Salutes , which take place on birthdays and other occasions throughout the year. At such times 41 rounds are fired in Hyde Park at noon, and 62 rounds at the Tower at 1pm. The spectacle in Hyde Park is a stirring one as 71 horses and six 13-pounder cannons swirl into place and the roar of the guns begins.

The combination of pageantry, colour, and music makes the annual Trooping the Colour the high point of Londons ceremonial year. The Queen takes the Royal Salute, and after her troops have marched past, she leads them to Buckingham Palace where a second march past takes place. The best place to watch this spectacle is from the Horse Guards Parade side of St Jamess Park. Bands of the Household Cavalry and the Foot Guards stage the ceremony of Beating the Retreat at Horse Guards Parade. This takes place three or four evenings a week in the fortnight leading up to Trooping the Colour.

The spectacular State Opening of Parliament , when the Queen opens the annual parliamentary session in the House of Lords usually in November is not open to the general public, although it is now televised. The huge royal procession, which moves from Buckingham Palace to Westminster, is, however, a magnificent sight, with the Queen traveling in the highly ornate Irish State Coach drawn by four horses.

One of the Queens Life Guards in full ceremonial dress

PALACES AND RESIDENCES

BUCKINGHAM PALACE

The Mall SW1. Tel 020-7766 7300. Underground St Jamess Park, Victoria. Bus 2B, 11, 16, 24, 25, 36, 38, 52, 73, 135, C1. Mainline Stations: Victoria. State rooms open end-Julend-Sep: 9.30am5:30pm daily. Admission Charge. No Photography. Changing of the Guard: MayJul: 11.30am daily; AugApr: alternate days. Tickets not required. www.royalcollection.org.uk

Buckingham Palace is both office and official London residence of the British monarchy. It is also used for ceremonial state occasions such as banquets for visiting heads of state. About 500 people work at the palace, including officers of the Royal Household and domestic staff.

John Nash converted the original Buckingham House into a palace for George IV (reigned 182030). Both he and his brother, William IV (reigned 183037), died before work was completed, and Queen Victoria was the first monarch to live at the palace. The present east front, facing The Mall, was added to Nashs conversion in 1913. The State Rooms are open to the public in summer.

Magnificent Buckingham Palace viewed from above

ST JAMESS PALACE

Pall Mall SW1. Underground Green Park. Not open to the public. www.royal.gov.uk

Built by Henry VIII in the late 1530s on the site of a former leper hospital, it was a primary royal residence only briefly, mainly during the reign of Elizabeth I and during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. In 1952 Queen Elizabeth II made her first speech as queen here, and foreign ambassadors are still officially accredited to the Court of St Jamess. Its northern gatehouse, seen from St Jamess Street, is one of Londons most evocative Tudor landmarks. Behind it the palace buildings are now occupied by privileged Crown servants.

St Jamess Tudor Gatehouse

CLARENCE HOUSE

Stable Yard SW1 . Tel 020-7766 7303. Underground Green Park, St Jamess Park. Open 1 Aug30 Sep: 10am5:30pm (further dates may be added). Wheelchair Access (phone to check details). Admission Charge. Guided Tours. mandatory. www.royalcollection.org.uk

Designed by John Nash for William IV in 1827, this is Prince Charless London home. Once a year, the public can visit the opulent ground floor.

LANCASTER HOUSE

Stable Yard SW1 . Underground Green Park, St Jamess Park. Not open to the public.

This royal residence was built for the Duke of York by Benjamin Wyatt, architect of Apsley House, in 1825. In 1848 Chopin played here for Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and the Duke of Wellington. It is now a conference centre.

MARLBOROUGH HOUSE

Pall Mall SW1. Tel 020-7747 6491. Underground St Jamess Park, Green Park. Open 3rd Sat in Sep only (phone for details). Guided Tours. by appt Tue am.

Marlborough House was designed by Christopher Wren for the Duchess of Marlborough, and finished in 1711. It was substantially enlarged in the 19th century and used by members of the Royal Family. From 1863 until he became Edward VII in 1901, it was the home of the Prince and Princess of Wales and the social centre of London. An Art Nouveau memorial in the Marlborough Road wall of the house commemorates Edwards queen, Alexandra. The building now houses the Commonwealth Secretariat

SPENCER HOUSE

27 St Jamess Pl SW1. Tel 020-7514 1958. Underground Green Park. Open 10:30am5:45pm Sun (last adm: 4:45pm). Garden open one Sunday in June 2pm5pm. Closed Jan & Aug. Admission Charge. Children not under 10. No Photography. Wheelchair Access (phone to check details). Guided Tours. compulsory. www.spencerhouse.co.uk

This Palladian palace, built in 1766 for the first Earl Spencer, an ancestor of the late Princess of Wales, has been completely restored to its 18th-century splendour (thanks to an 18 million renovation project). It contains some wonderful paintings and contemporary furniture; one of the highlights is the beautifully decorated Painted Room. The house is open to the public for guided tours, receptions and meetings.