The UK is the home of The Beatles, David Beckham and most importantly, Queen Elizabeth II.
If you’re obsessed with the royal family, add these destinations to your travel itinerary ASAP. Not only will you learn more about this iconic family, but you might even catch a glimpse of a royal wave if you’re lucky.
1. Kensington Palace
Prince William and Duchess Catherine have decided to make Kensington Palace their family home this year, relocating from Norfolk where’d the’d been living until Price George was ready for school.
The iconic palace is best known as Diana’s residence, as she continued to live at an apartment there even after her divorce from Prince Charles.
After an extensive renovation, Apartment 1A is ready for the young family which soon be a royal hot spot. Both Prince Harry and Princess Eugenie live in apartment within the luxe residence. The baroque-style palace has manicured gardens and features the perfectly preserved King’s Staircase from 1724.
A statue of Princess Diana will be built on the grounds of Kensington Palace, at the request of Prince William and Prince Harry, which is expected to be unveiled by the end of 2017.
2. The Goring Hotel
Take a short stroll from Buckingham Palace and you’ll stumble upon the Goring Hotel in Belgravia in London’s west. This luxury location was where Duchess Catherine got ready for her wedding, staying in the lavish Royal Suite for a few days in the lead up to the big event.
The Queen Mother was also known to be a frequent guest and it was rumoured her favourite lunch was always on the menu when she was checked in. For the record, that meal was called oeufs Drumkilbo, a surprising mixture of prawns, lobster, mayonnaise, eggs, Tabasco and anchovy sauce. Surely an acquired taste.
This hotel is also the only in the world to have the Royal Warrant of appointment to HM The Queen (given to businesses who provide goods to the Royal Family), awarded to them in 2013.
Rumour has it the hotel has a secret tunnel connecting it to Buckingham Palace – but as with all good secrets, nothing is confirmed.
3. Richard Ward salon
If you’re looking to get your hair done while in London, don’t miss stopping at Richard Ward’s Chelsea salon, a favourite of the Duchess of Cambridge. The creator of the signature ‘Chelsea blowout’ knows a thing or two about royalty, as he styled the Duchess for her wedding day.
Keep your eyes peeled for a royal sighting, but settle for a fancy blowout in the posh part of town.
4. Althorp Estate
Althorp Estate is the childhood home of Diana Princess of Wales, and also her final resting place. The historic house is in Northamptonshire, and the Spencer family have lived in the house for over 100 years.
Charles Spencer, the younger brother of Princess Diana, is the current owner of the estate and chose a small island in the middle of the lake for her tomb. Visitors can leave tributes in a small temple, inscribed with quotes from the Princess, and share in a moment of reflection by the tranquil lake.
As you wander around the grounds you might pass 36 oak trees, planted just after her death to symbolise the years of her life.
5. Westminster Abbey
A royal wedding is not small affair, and at the 2011 nuptials of Prince William and Kate only the Westminster Abbey would do.
The royal couple were not alone in choosing this soaring, gothic-style church for their big day. Prince William’s grandmother Queen Elizabeth II also had her wedding to the Duke of Edinburgh here in 1947. This year also marks the year of Princess Diana’s tragic death, whose royal ceremonial funeral was at the Abbey.
For more royal travel tips, see this month’s issue of The Australian Women’s Weekly. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook or Instagram.
