My Visit to the Palace

Two days ago I teased with a photo of my invitation to a royal garden party, so now I will fill you in on my day.  Unfortunately you arent allowed to take photos so I cant post any for you to see – sorry. 

I went with work colleagues – the Duke of Gloucester is our University Chancellor and I was responsible for organising his installation ceremony earlier this year.  We were offered four invites so I was lucky to be given one.  We travelled down to London from Worcestershire by car with a driiver – frightfully posh, having surprised people at work by turning up in our finery!  We had lunch at the Charing Cross Hotel which was very nice and then we walked down the Mall to Buckingham Palace.  Being the height of the tourist season it was very busy but as we got nearer we saw more and more people in their best clothes.  You can park on the Mall and in the surrounding roads so the police were very busy making sure people parked in the right place.  It was very warm and I was worried that my jacket (although summer weight) would be too much.

We then had to have our ID checked before we were allowed through the gates – luckily I had remembered my passport.  You then queue to go into the inner courtyard and then you enter the Palace through the covered area which you see on the TV, where the cars pull up.  We then filed through the Palace – which surprisingly isnt that deep.  The carpet was a sumptious red and there was lots of gold leaf on the ceiling ornaments and on the walls.  You then come out onto a terrace which over looks the gardens.  It is surprising having come from the hustle and bustle of a huge city how quiet it was.  You could hear some traffic but no where near what I would imagine. 

We decided to have a look around the gardens first as there was an hour before the Queen arrived.  The garden is dominated by a lake with an island in the middle.  It is not formal at all and the edges are not manicured.  There were lots of natural plants (or some people would call weeds) along the edge but it looked lovely and there was masses of wildlife.  The garden is predominately shrubs and trees.  However there is a rose garden with individual beds for different roses – they were really looking lovely and the scent was divine.  My friend was pleased to see that the Queens roses had black spot as well!  We then followed the path back round to the palace and came to the long herbacous border. 

I had been looking forward to seeing this but it was not as perfect as I had idealised it to be!  The border is very deep.  At the back there were Bamboos and Cannas and various shrubs.  At intervals along the border there were towers of sweet peas, though how the gardens get through the border to cut the flowers I really dont know – there must be a secret path along the back.  The predominant colours were yellow and blue – with Delphineums, Salvias, Lavatera, Geraniums and all the other suspects.  Some of the perennials were beginning to look like they had passed their best but I suppose this is the case in all our gardens.

We then walked back round the lake to the main lawned area where people were beginning to line up for a site of the Queen.  We had been told to make ourselves known to the ushers so we could be presented to the Duke.  This was very entertaining as the ushers were in full morning suits, with top hats and rolled umbrellas (despite there being no likelihood of rain).  We were told to stand on a certain spot.  Then the national anthem played and the Queen and the royal party appeared on the terrace.  The Queen then makes her way along a central path where various people are introduced to her.  We waited for the Duke. 

The atmosphere was lovely, very friendly with lots of happy and excited people.  Firstly we met the Duke’s Private Secretary who I had exchanged emails with in the past – in true courtly fashion he doffed his top hat at us which was wonderful.  Then we were presented to the Duke – I managed to remember to curtesy and not fall over – a real achievement for me.  We had a chat about what was happening at the University and then he was off to the next group – it was over so fast.

Then we were off to the tea tent – luckily there were no queues.  Small dainty sandwiches including cucumber and dainty little cakes and you could go back for as much as you wanted.  Then they handed out tubs of ice cream which were very welcome as it was so hot.  We spent an hour people watching and commenting on the various outfits, particularly the ridiculously high heels. 

At about 5.30 the Queen left so we went over to join the throng seeing her leave and managed to get a good view.  The path was lined with Beefeaters which was lovely as I have only seen them at the Tower of London before.  Everyone clapped as the Queen passed.  After she had left we went up to the Terrace and waited for the National Anthem. It was interesting to see that lots of people still stand up straight and to attention when it was played, even those not in uniform.

We then joined the good natured suffle back through the Palace and out to the forecourt.  One of my colleagues husband’s was waiting on the other side of the railings and took some photos but I havent seen them yet – honest!  Our driver had parked just round the corner so off we went on a short tour of some of the sites and home.

It was absolutely wonderful and very surreal – I kept thinking to myself have I really been to Buckingham Palace or did I just imagine it but my aching legs and sore feet tell me I did go

~ by patientgardener on July 24, 2008.