This is the official palace of the Royal Family. Henry the eighth got it built for his beloved wife Anne Boleyn, who never got to see it as she was executed in the Tower of London before it was completed. Another significance of this palace is that this is place where the death of a Monarch is officially announced from the main balcony. The message is sent in the form of a passcode. The code for the last queen’s death was “London Bridge has Fallen”. After that the famous lines “The queen is dead long live the king” (or the other way around) are read. There is a superstitious belief that any heir apparent who witnesses this announcement is bound to have a short reign. This came true when Prince Edward and Wallis Simpson heard the announcement of King George V’s death. King Edward VIII abdicated only ten months and twenty days after he became the king. Prince Charles, William and Henry lived here until 2003. Charles I spent his last night here before being executed. I loved visiting this historical building.

This is the oldest Royal Palace in London. Built by Henry VIII in the 16th Century to be closer to Westminster it has served in several royal capacities over the centuries. Today it is where the Guard for Buckingham Palace stay and assemble for the Changing of the Guard. While we were not able to go in the palace, we did witness the Changing of the Guard ceremony here.

We went on a private tour of the palace which covered the state rooms and included the throne room where King Charles made his declaration. The tour lasted about 90 minutes and was led by a very knowledgeable guide. There were about 25 of us on the tour. This tour was a trial which hopefully will mean that this palace is open to the public in the future.