On Sunday, we took the London in a Day tour from Victoria Coach station with a lovely guide named Emily and our marvelous driver, Steve. They did an amazing job; Steve navigating London traffic (I wouldn’t want his job) and Emily’s beautiful commentary on every building and site. Honestly, both Anthony have said more than once that it is almost overwhelming how much history there is and how literally every stone has a story in this country!
Steve drove us through several parts of London while Emily explained the different boroughs of London. The City of London is actually separate from the boroughs of London. Our first stop was to go look at Westminster Abbey, where church services were actually being held. It was Commonwealth Day, so the Abbey was full and there was plenty of security around. While we were there, the bells were ringing. It was an awesome feeling to be standing on thousands-year-old ground steeped in so much tradition and history and hearing the bells still ringing out!
After Westminster, we went to St. James’s Park and watched the changing of the guard marching towards Buckingham Palace.
Security around the palace was tight and there were thousands of people everywhere.
Emily was brilliant, leading us to a good vantage point where we could watch the old guard and the new guard join at the palace, and then she hurried us over to Clarence House down the way, where HRH Prince Charles stays. A small contingent of guards comes down from the main change at Buckingham to provide security to the residents of Clarence House. We were able to watch this Changing of the Guard much closer up than the ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
One of Emily’s amazing strengths is her ability to weave emotions into her storytelling during our tour. At this memorial for King George the Sixth and Queen Elizabeth (the current Queen’s Mother), she brought Anthony and I to tears with her retelling of King George’s struggle with his speech impediment and how Elizabeth helped him with public appearances. Such a touching story and beautiful example of how vital it is for married couples to love and support one another.
Daniella Indie 