Not much in the way of photos today for two main reasons. Firstly it was pouring rain all day and my camera is not weatherproof. Secondly, today was the day we got to do a tour of the State Rooms of Buckingham Palace and photography was not permitted.
We left our hotel at 10:00 am and got to the Palace around 20 minutes later. There was a large crowd standing in the pouring rain on the footpath. We determined we were supposed to go in Gate C so got in this really long queue to Gate C. By the time we had moved forward about half the length of the queue we came across this very smartly dressed young male official who told us that this queue was only for the half past ten tickets. Ours were for 11 o’clock so we got tossed out of the queue.
We waited till after 10:30 then rejoined the queue which now stretched around the corner and out of sight. By the time we had got forward to the halfway point again, we encountered another smartly dressed official who told us that the queue was only 10:45 tickets and we got tossed out of the queue again.
On the third attempt we actually made it past the official and after going through airline style security checks we were in the Palace. I really can’t start to describe all the amazing sights we saw. Everyone was issued with audio guides at no additional cost. The crowds were kept to manageable sizes so the areas were not overcrowded and you could get to see everything. Lots of friendly smartly turned out young staff in Palace uniforms were on hand on every step of the way.
The works of art on display were mind blowing. There were several beautiful Rembrandts and in addition a great surprise for me was Vermeer’s The Music Lesson. I have always had a fondness for that painting so it was a great thrill to see the original.
The tour lasted two hours as we passed through all the State rooms. After that we had lunch in a cafe that had been set up in a marquee in the grounds at the rear of the Palace. We finally exited the Palace via a half mile walk through the gardens at the rear of the Palace. This photo is looking back at the Palace with the lunch marquee as we were exiting through the Palace gardens.
This was a fabulous experience and one not to be missed if you ever get the chance. The history embedded in this building is truly awesome.
We next headed down to Oxford Street for a bit of shopping, then as the rain increased in intensity, retreated back to our hotel.
Hardys’ Travels 