London’s Top 10 : Royal London – Top 10 Royals in Everyday London Life

Buckingham Palace

Hampton Court

The
finest piece of Tudor architecture in Britain, Hampton Court was begun
by Henry VIII’s ally Cardinal Wolsey in 1514 and later given to the
king. It was enlarged first by Henry and then by William and Mary, who
employed Christopher Wren as architect. Its many rooms include a huge
kitchen, a Renaissance Picture Gallery, the Chapel Royal and fine royal
apartments. Set in 60 acres, the gardens, with their famous maze, are as
much an attraction as the palace.

Kensington Palace

An
intimate royal palace in Kensington Gardens, famous as the home of
Princess Diana, the first sovereign residents here were William and Mary
in 1689. Queen Victoria was born here in 1837 and opened parts of the
palace to the public, including some of the State Apartments. These are
still open today, along with a beautiful Royal Ceremonial Dress
Collection. The Orangery is delightful for coffee .

St James’s Palace

Although
not open to the public, St James’s has a key role in royal London. Its
classic Tudor style sets it in the reign of Henry VIII, although it
served only briefly as a royal residence. Prince Charles has offices
here .

Kew Palace and Queen Charlotte’s Cottage

The
smallest royal palace, Kew was built in 1631 and used as a residence by
George III and Queen Charlotte. Nearby Queen Charlotte’s Cottage was
used for picnics and housing royal pets. The palace is set in Kew
Gardens .

• Kew, Surrey

Palace

• call
  0844 482 7799
  for opening times

• 
  www.hrp.org.uk
  

Cottage

• open during the summer

Banqueting House

Built
by Inigo Jones, this magnificent building is particularly noted for its
Rubens ceiling. It was commissioned by Charles I, who stepped from this
room on to the scaffold for his execution in 1649.

• Whitehall SW1

• Open 10am–5pm Mon–Sat

• Admission charge

Queen’s House

This
delightful home in the midst of Greenwich Park was the first Palladian
building by Inigo Jones, and home to the wife of Charles I. Beautifully
restored to its 17th-century glory, it now provides a home for the
National Maritime Museum’s art collection.

• Romney Road SE10

• Train to Greenwich

• Open 10am–5pm daily

Royal Mews

Queen’s Chapel

This
exquisite royal chapel is open only to its congregation (visitors
welcome as worshippers). Built by Inigo Jones in 1627, its furnishings
remain virtually intact, including a beautiful altarpiece by Annibale
Carracci.

• Marlborough Road SW1

Clarence House

Designed
by John Nash in 1827 for William, Duke of Clarence who lived here after
he became king in 1830. This royal residence sits beside The Mall. It
was the home of the Queen Mother, who died in 2002.

• Stable Yard SW1

• Closed to the public

King Charles Spaniel

These were the favourite dogs of King Charles II. Today, the Queen prefers corgis.

Queen Anne’s Gate

A delightful small Westminster street with a statue of the queen who gave her name to a style of furniture.

Regent’s Park

The Prince Regent, later George IV, used John Nash for this ambitious urban plan.

Duke of York Steps

A statue of the “Grand Old Duke of York”, subject of the nursery rhyme, is elevated above these steps off Pall Mall.

Victoria Station

All the main London railway termini were built in Victoria’s reign. This one serves southern England.

Albert Memorial

Prince Albert, beloved consort of Queen Victoria, has a splendid memorial in Kensington Gardens .

George Cross

Instituted in 1940 under George VI, this medal is awarded for acts of heroism by civilians.

Princess of Wales Pubs

Several pubs have changed their name to remember Diana, Princess of Wales, “the people’s princess”.

Windsor Knot

The stylish Duke of Windsor, who abdicated the throne in 1938, gave the world a wide tie knot.

King Edward Potato

This variety of English potato was named after King Edward VII, who visited Ireland after the 1903 potato famine.