I visited London today to see the decorations and preparations for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Along the way, I stopped off at the Mall and Buckingham Palace, St. James Park, Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Street, Regent Street, Carnaby Street, Covent Garden, and the "Avenue of Sails" between London Bridge and on the other side of Tower Bridge. I also stopped at Brown's Hotel in Mayfair and treated myself to their "Jubilee Afternoon Tea", which consisted of sandwiches, scones, and miniature Jubilee-themed desserts.
The Diamond Jubilee weekend will be a busy one. Tomorrow, the queen will board a boat and sail down the Thames, and there will also be a procession and a concert and other events taking place this Bank Holiday weekend.
The first area I visited was the Mall and Buckingham Palace, which was lined with flags, police, cameras, and many tourists. A concert hall with seating was set up in front of Buckingham Palace, and this is currently blocked to the public. (The media presence for the Royal Wedding last year was larger.) I visited St. James' Park to see the Floral Crown, and I soon discovered the "Trooping the Colour" taking place for the Queen's birthday in two weeks. The event today was the first practice, also known as the Major General's Review. I watched the parade of guards from along the side of the Mall, and I visited the Horse Guards Parade to watch them practice before crossing the Mall and heading up to Piccadilly Circus.
Piccadilly Street and the shopping arcades off of the street contain flag bunting. Many of the shops had decorations in their windows and messages relating to the Diamond Jubilee. I visited Brown's Hotel off of Piccadilly Street for afternoon tea. I loved the Jubilee-themed pastries, and these tasted delicious. These included a strawberry tart, chocolate and custard cup, trifle, macaroon, and Battenburg cake slice. The afternoon tea option also included a slice of Victoria Sponge along with scones and cold sandwiches. Fresh tea was provided for me as well as the offer of as much food as I could eat, if I did desired a second helping of anything.
After leaving Brown's, I visited Oxford Street and Regent Street to take photographs of the bunting. I also visited Carnaby Street, which was also decorated with bunting and Jubilee signage. Covent Garden was as busy as always, and the covered market was completely decorated with bunting.
My last visit was to London Bridge and Tower Bridge to view the tall ships along the "Avenue of Sails", and I walked from London Bridge and up the river to Wapping to see the ships. By this time, it was late afternoon, and the grey clouds started to part. I hope that isn't the last we see of the sunshine this four-day weekend.
The concert area is set up in front of Buckingham Palace, and the Mall is lined with British flags, police, and the media.
The Buckingham Palace end of St. James' Park contains a floral crown as a tribute to the Queen.
This is a close-up of the floral crown in St. James' Park.
Visitors to St. James' Park watch as royal guards walk through the park after their practice.
Royal guards practice "Trooping the Colour", and some of them look quite tired. I imagine they have a lot of pressure with the Diamond Jubilee celebrations coming up.
A group of royal guards walks down the mall during the "Trooping the Colour" practice.
Royal guards walk down the Mall during the "Trooping the Colour" practice.
Royal guards play their instruments and walk down the Mall during the "Trooping the Colour" practice.
Horses trot down the Mall during the "Trooping the Colour" practice.
Tourists dressed in Union Jack raincoats (ready for the Diamond Jubilee) watch the royal guards walk down the Mall.
This brightly-decorated group of tourists stands along the Mall, clutching flags. The guy at the back has a cape made out of a Canadian flag.
The guards practice the "Trooping the Colour".
The guards practice the "Trooping the Colour".
The guards practice the "Trooping the Colour".
The "Jubilee Afternoon Tea" pastries at Brown's Hotel brightened up my day. Delicious.
After the "Jubilee Afternoon Tea", I visited Oxford Street.
Regent Street is covered with Union Jack bunting.
Regent Street is covered with Union Jack bunting.
Bunting on Regent's Street
Carnaby Street is ready to party.
I discovered this bunting on the side streets off of Carnaby Street.
Covent Garden is filled with bunting, and these tourists are also in the spirit.
Bunting in the covered market, Covent Garden.
The "Avenue of Sails" tall ships await the boat parade.
This ship awaits the boat parade.
The "Avenue of Sails" tall ships await the boat parade, with Tower Bridge in the background.
Hi Jen,
love the pictures, you take exceptional quality photo's Roger
Thank you!
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