Palaces & Prestige: Discover London’s Iconic Royal Residences

A consistent destination of interest is the United Kingdom, with London a key spot for exploring in depth. There is so much to see there, which inspires today’s article that focuses on the most obvious theme in planning where to visit when there…

Palaces & Prestige: Discover London’s Iconic Royal Residences

London is a city steeped in layers of history, but it is among the regal residences dotting its landscape that this sense of the past truly comes alive. From the iconic silhouette of Buckingham Palace to the grand elegance of Kensington Palace, these majestic estates offer visitors a captivating portal into centuries of royal monarchy, intrigue, and unbridled opulence. To wander their halls is to retrace the footsteps of kings and queens, to catch fleeting glimpses of the private lives and public spectacles that have unfolded within their storied walls over the ages.

This enduring legacy of the British monarchy stretches back centuries, rooted in one of the world’s oldest royal dynasties, generally believed to have started in the 9th or 10th centuries. Alfred the Great ruled first, from 871 until 886, but he never ruled over all of England – the first king to do that was his grandson, Athelstan from 924 until 939. There has been an almost continuous line of royals ever since, briefly broken by Oliver Cromwell in the mid-1650s. It’s a blood-thirsty timeline, dominated by politics, treason and familicide.

The British capital, London, is steeped in royal tradition. Whether your first visit or your tenth, your time in London will likely involve exploring a sight or attraction somehow linked to the monarchy. The foundation of your London touring is best seen and discovered in the country’s royal residences, grand houses and palaces where members of the royal family throughout history have lived and ruled. We will look at the three most important London royal residences: Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and Kensington Palace.

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is arguably the most famous building in the world, and has been the official London residence of the British monarch since 1837, when Queen Victoria moved in. The late Queen Elizabeth II famously disliked living here, preferring to spend her time at Balmoral, her Scottish residence in Aberdeenshire.

Designed by John Nash, Buckingham Palace is a Neoclassical masterpiece, with construction of today’s palace beginning in 1825. Before this, a townhouse existed on the plot; this had been a residence for the Duke of Buckingham.

It is possible to visit Buckingham Palace on guided tours, allowing visitors the chance to explore some of the 775 rooms, including lavish State Rooms decorated with fine art and expensive porcelain. The tours are not available year round, so be aware that there are selected dates fall through summer, and then it’s generally open in the summer.

The 39-acre Palace Gardens are also open to the public during the summer, home to a small lake, rose garden and the famous herbaceous border. And no visit to Buckingham Palace would be complete without witnessing the iconic Changing of the Guard, which takes place in the Forecourt every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 10:30.

Windsor Castle

Located about an hour outside of London, Windsor Castle was another favorite of Elizabeth II. The grand Gothic castle here is the world’s oldest and largest inhabited castle, dating to 1070. William the Conqueror chose the site, located above the River Thames and on the fringes of a well-stocked Saxon hunting ground. Perhaps the most important part of the castle is the architecturally stunning St George’s Chapel. This Royal Mausoleum is the final resting place for a diverse selection of the UK’s monarchs, including Henry VIII, Charles I, Jane Seymour, George V and Elizabeth II.

It’s not just the elaborate medieval design that makes Windsor Castle attractive to visitors. The State Apartments are open to the public year-round, adorned with important works of art by Rubens and Van Dyck, as well as Queen Mary’s famous dolls’ house. The Undercroft Café is located in the oldest part of the castle and is a unique spot to enjoy a morning coffee.

And the Changing of the Guard can also be seen here, at 11:00 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. This iconic ceremony requires a ticket to tour the castle, which can actually present a better experience than at Buckingham since there a fewer crowds and a more intimate space.

The lovely town of Windsor itself is also well worth a visit, so travelers can easily make a day trip of things from London, with regular train services from the capital.

Kensington Palace

Located in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in the heart of London, Kensington Palace is the current official residence of the heir to the throne: Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Katherine, as well as their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. It was the birthplace and childhood home of Queen Victoria and was also the residence of Princess Margaret until her death in 2002. Charles and Diana also lived here after their marriage in 1981.

Visitors to Kensington Palace can pay their own tributes to Diana at the Sunken Garden, where a statue of the late princess is surrounded by white flowers in spring and summer, a tribute to her famous white dresses. Other seasonal exhibitions include the Jewel Room, where gems bestowed on Queen Victoria by her husband, Albert are displayed. And visitors can explore the Queen’s State Apartments, where Mary II once lived.

But wait, there’s more..

As well as these three main royal residences, there are so many other palaces and current tourist sights that are part of the royal connection. Travelers to London can discover other gems like St James’ Palace, the London residence of Princess Anne. It isn’t open to the public but the grand exterior can be seen by visitors to London city center. The Tower of London is open to the public. Most famous as a historic prison and place of torture, there was once a lavish palace here too, which was one of many residences frequented by Tudor King Henry VIII. And finally there is the Palace of Westminster, abandoned by Herny VIII and now home to the democratic Parliament of the United kingdom.