On a sunny day last August, 2014, we had pre-booked tickets for a combined visit to the Royal Mews, the Queen's Gallery, and Buckingham Palace...that's about as Royal as it gets!
Above, the Gold State Coach, c. 1764; below l to r: The Irish State Coach, the Scottish State Coach, the Glass Coach
From the Mews, it is a short walk to the Queen's Gallery, where interesting exhibitions from the Royal Collection are always on show and open to the public. In this case, the subject was The First Georgians, marking the 300th anniversary of the House of Hanover ascending to the British Throne.
George I, King of Great Britain and Ireland, Elector of Hanover, came to London in 1714; he never learned to speak English. When he died in 17 he was succeeded by his son.
George II became King in 1727 and reigned until his death in 1760. He was succeeded by his grandson George III.
Crowds admire the paintings and objects from the Royal Collection dating from the time of the first two Georges. Next was the visit to Buckingham Palace. Of course no pictures were allowed inside.
Behind the Palace, many tents housed a huge tea room (most welcome indeed!) .and gift shops. Though we were not allowed to wander the gardens, we did follow the long path beside the wilderness and the lake to the exit. A wonderful, if exhausting, day.
I regret they do not allow pictures inside the Palace, but if you google Buckingham Palace interiors, you will find many views of the sumptuous rooms still similar to the styles favored by King George IV who was responsible for most of the remodeling of State Rooms in both the Palace and Windsor Castle.
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