Buckingham Palace

I am a Royalist and ever since Buckingham Palace opened its doors to the public I have wanted to visit. I don't know why its taken so long. I think we often concentrate on preparing long journeys and faraway holidays thinking that we have plenty of time for local trips. On Wednesday I finally got there. 

OOTD was M&S jeggings, black thin long sleeve t-shirt underneath my lovely sale bargain John Rocha lightweight cardigan/jacket, black ankle boots and charity shop scarf. I pitched it just about right because we did spend a bit of time outside and although it was a gloriously sunny day, at this time of the year it is usually lovely and warm in the sun but windy and chilly in the shade.



Whilst we were waiting for the coach I took a few shots of this heron on the village pond. I've seen it there a few times when passing and wondered if it has taken over from Godfrey as the pond patriarch.

Originally the palace was built in 1703 as a townhouse for the Duke of Buckingham and was known as Buckingham House. In 1761 it was acquired (I love that word, so many stately buildings were "acquired" in those days!) by King George III as a private residence for Queen Charlotte and became know as The Queen's House. During the 19th century it was enlarged by forming three wings around a central courtyard and Buckingham Palace became the official royal palace of the British monarchy on the accession of Queen Victoria in 1837. The last major structural additions were made in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including the famous balcony on which the royal family greet crowds outside.

There aren't enough superlatives in the English language to describe the magnificence of the interior of the palace. The unsurpassed collections of paintings, porcelain, jewelled and gold cabinets, bronze and stone statues and carvings, chandeliers, sumptuous furnishings, its all breathtaking. You can explore the collection at https://www.royalcollection.org.uk/ 

Unfortunately photography isn't allowed in the palace but whilst browsing in the shop I had a brainwave!! I bought a pack of postcards and photographed them - genius!! :-) I hope I'm not infringing some copyright or artistic license - not so genius. So if you read about a lady of a certain age being thrown into the tower for infringing HM property you'll know who it is!!.......

The Green Drawing Room and The Music Room

The Picture Gallery and The State Dining Room

At the time of our visit there wasn't a table in the Picture Gallery 
but there was a beautifully laid out table in the dining room.

 

The Grand Staircase and The Throne Room

The White Drawing Room and The Blue Drawing Room

We were able to take some photos outside later at the cafe and in parts of the grounds. I was disappointed at not being able to see the herbaceous borders, I could only admire them from a distance. Some work was being done just outside the Queen's private wing during her absence so visitors weren't allowed in that area because of health and safety, even though the borders were well away from the building.

Time for refreshments, the coffee was weak but the profiteroles were delicious.

It's my birthday today, my lovely daughter is taking me out for a day of shopping, 
lunch and a cream tea.

Hope you have a good weekend.