Royal London: Palaces, Guards & Crown Jewels

Tour stops

1. 1. Buckingham Palace

   London SW1A 1AA

   Official royal residence since 1837

   Verified connection: Royal household

2. 2. Tower of London

   London EC3N 4AB

   Royal fortress since 1066, houses Crown Jewels

   Verified connection: Historic Royal Palaces

3. 3. Westminster Abbey

   20 Deans Yd, London SW1P 3PA

   Coronation church since 1066, royal burial site

   Verified connection: Historical records

4. 4. Clarence House

   🏡 Clarence House, built by John Nash in the 1820s for the Duke of Clarence, later William IV. The Queen Mother lived here for nearly fifty years, until 2002; it is now the London residence of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. The state rooms open to visitors for a few weeks each summer, by timed ticket booked in advance. The rest of the year you see it from the Mall, over the wall.

5. 5. St James's Palace

   🏰 St James's Palace has been a royal residence since Henry VIII built it in the 1530s, and it is still the senior palace of the sovereign — ambassadors are accredited to the Court of St James's, not to Buckingham Palace. A new monarch is proclaimed from the balcony over Friary Court; Charles III was, in September 2022. It is not open to the public, but the Tudor gatehouse on Pall Mall is worth the look.

6. 6. Horse Guards Parade

   🐴 Horse Guards Parade, where Trooping the Colour is held each June for the sovereign's official birthday. The Household Cavalry mount the King's Life Guard here daily; the changing takes place at eleven, and at ten on Sundays. The parade ground was the tiltyard of the old Palace of Whitehall, which burned down in 1698.

7. 7. Kensington Palace Cafe & Gift Shop

   👑 Kensington Palace has housed royals since William III bought it in 1689, largely because his asthma could not stand Whitehall. Victoria was born and grew up here; Diana lived here from 1981 until her death. It is now the London home of the Prince and Princess of Wales, and part of it is open to visitors — the State Rooms and the royal dress collection.

8. 8. Windsor Castle

   🏰 Windsor Castle, begun by William the Conqueror and occupied ever since — the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world. A fire in November 1992 destroyed or damaged more than a hundred rooms; the restoration took five years, and the argument over who should pay for it changed how the monarchy is funded. Elizabeth II is buried in St George's Chapel.

Frequently asked questions

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