In the summer of 2022 the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of Queen Elizabeth II in London, England was the perfect opportunity to enjoy the pomp and pageantry for which the United Kingdom is so well known. In September 2022, that same pomp and pageantry was sadly repeated as the county mourned the passing of the Queen, and held a funeral procession that was watched by billions all over the world.
This coming summer, on Saturday 6th 2023, the country will once again put on a similar show for the coronation of King Charles III at Westminster Abbey.
This will be a further opportunity for the United Kingdom to showcase the stunning spectacle for which the country is uniquely famous for, and is the perfect opportunity for anglophiles to visit the country and witness first-hand some of the traditions which have been played out in the streets of London for centuries.
The first coronation to have been documented at Westminster Abbey was for William the Conqueror, and it took place on 25th December 1066. Since that day 38 more kings and queens have passed through the doors – the last one being Queen Elizabeth II on 2nd June 1953. The coronation of King Charles will truly be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many.
If you’re planning on visiting London this summer to personally witness how the city celebrates this great event, here are a few more right royal excursions you need to book, to make sure that you get a true flavour of the importance of the Royal Family to the country.
Witness the Changing of the Guard
There is something almost emotional about the ritual and rhythm of the Changing of the Guard. Tasked with protecting the ruling monarch, the King’s Guards consist of soldiers from five regiments – the Grenadier Guards, the Coldstream guards, The Scots Guards, the Irish Guards and the Welsh Guards.
They are most recognisable by their bearskin hats, which date back to the 18th century and were worn to make soldiers seem taller and more imposing.
Make sure you book a Changing of the Guard tour to truly experience this moving tradition, when the ‘Old Guard’ is released from its duty and replaced by the ‘New Guard’.
Visit the Royal Residences
Having had a taste of the pomp and ceremony of the Royal traditions, that give a real flavour of the streets of London, you can then look at planning a number of visits to the Royal residences. These include, in London:
- Windsor Castle
- Buckingham Palace
- The Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace
- The Queen’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace
If you have some time and would like to include a visit up north to Scotland, then make sure you also include a trip to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, which is the official residence of the King in Edinburgh.
1000 Years of Royal History
Windsor is particularly famous when it comes to the Royal family, and was where the Queen spent her time during the pandemic, in a ‘Royal Bubble’ with some particularly close members of the Royal household. The castle itself was founded in the 11th Century by William the Conqueror, and has since been home to 40 monarchs. Of particular interest is the chapel of St George, which is the burial place for 11 kings and queens, including the late Queen Elizabeth II, who was laid to rest in the crypt of the chapel alongside her husband Prince Philip, after a committal service following her Westminster Abbey funeral.
