A right royal treat!

We really were in Buckingham Palace today if not with these actual royals on the famous balcony. This was a mock up at the garden side of the palace for people to have a bit of fun and we did! Part of the Platinum Jubilee specials.

I got my tickets three weeks ago as my birthday present from Grace. I was told back in January that I had to keep the 22 July free and be in Bath. Today was the first day of the summer opening.

We started out on the early Paddington train from Bath. First Class tickets were a surprise and we had complimentary drinks and pastries as well as Champagne and orange juice which Grace had brought along to make Bucks Fizz.

Slightly wobbly we made our way to Trafalgar Square and walked down The Mall to the Palace. Lots of people waiting to see the changing of the guard but we had tickets first for the Queens Gallery, a Japanese Culture exhibition from the Royal Collection. Then a good look around the shop! 
Next ticket was for the Royal Mews. We had an excellent guided tour of all the Royal Carriages and even the Royal Bentley. 
Finally it was time to enter the Palace Staterooms.
No photography which was probably a good thing as I would have taken hundreds. We had a audio guide to lead us through which took an hour and a half. The Grand staircase was amazing and the art work in the Picture Gallery was too. 
I particularly liked Rembrandt’s ‘The Ship Builder and his Wife’ the hand and skin details were astonishing. I can’t describe it all but these rooms are used for all state visits, Royal wedding photographs, investitures etc so are quite familiar. 
There was a special Platinum Jubilee exhibition of photo portraits of the Queen taken for use on stamps, coins etc. it was particularly interesting as all the jewellery she was wearing in them was also on display. ( Also a stitched Jubilee tea party on display at the entrance on the Quadrangle!)


At the end we had cup of tea overlooking the gardens and then a stroll around them before taking our leave.

Just fabulous and a pleasantly warm day with no rain (it had rained in Bath when we got back)

A stroll through Mayfair took us to my extra, extra surprise, afternoon tea at Claridges! What can I say it was fabulous!
What a very lucky mum I am!

Thank you so much Grace.