I Saw the King: A Local’s Guide to Royal London

Prince William, Princess Kate, King Charles, the late Queen Elizabeth II — chances are, you already know quite a bit about the British royal family even if you’re not a monarchist (or a regular reader of tabloids). 

And even if you don’t know the British Royal family, you’ll quickly learn more about it once you touch down in London. After all, the royals are still an integral part of British life today. 

Royal fan, history buff, or neither, no trip to London would be complete without some royal sightseeing. It’s a lot of fun, unique to this country, and includes some of the city’s top landmarks. What’s more, you’ll be able to tell your friends some first-person anecdotes next time the royals hit the news.

You might even get to see a royal in real life as I did! (More on this below.) Have a look at our guide, and then head out to create your own royal London experience!

London’s royal history

While Japan has the oldest monarchy in the world, it’s safe to say that the British royal family is the most well-known. The U.K. has seen 63 monarchs of England and Britain over around 1,200 years, with the current reign King Charles III the oldest to ever take the throne (he was 73 at the time). 

For centuries, the British royals lived in different places around the island. It was King Henry II who moved to London from Winchester in the late 12th century, and the city has been the base of the British sovereigns ever since. 

The best spots to see London’s royal attractions

London has tons of great sights for royal fans hoping to get a glimpse into the lives of the British kings and queens. And, you never know, you might end up crossing paths with a royal!

1. Buckingham Palace

The official residence of the British monarchs since 1837 has an impressive 775 rooms on five floors, with the State Rooms open to visitors during the summer. 

Buckingham Palace is also where you can see the famous Changing of the Guard. Queen Elizabeth II was the last reign to call the palace her home. Right now, it is undergoing refurbishments scheduled to be completed in 2027. 

2. Clarence House

Just a short walk from Buckingham Palace, this is where King Charles III and Queen Camilla have been living since summer 2003. Previously, Clarence House was the residence of the late Queen Mother. 

Clarence House is open to the public in August when the king and queen are on their summer vacation. Learn more about it (and a few other royal residences) in the video above.

3. Kensington Palace

Dating back to the early 16th century, Kensington Palace is the birthplace of Queen Victoria and the London home of Prince William, Princess Kates and their kids George, Louise and Charlotte. Royal fans can tour the King’s and Queen’s State Apartments Wednesday to Sunday. 

4. Tower of London

Built as a fortress by William the Conqueror in the 1070s, the Tower of London has served as a royal residence, prison, and execution site over the centuries. 

Today it’s a massive tourist attraction, not least because it is where the crown jewels are on display. The former safe keepers, the so-called beefeaters (easily recognizable by their distinct colorful uniforms) now show visitors around.

5. Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey is the country’s most important church and the place where every king has been crowned since William The Conqueror in 1066. 

You will also recognize it from the weddings of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, and Prince William and Princess Kate, or, on a sadder occasion, the funeral of the late queen. Exactly 30 British sovereigns are buried here.

6. Household Cavalry Museum

If you love royal ceremonies, the Household Cavalry Museum is a must-visit. This is where you get some behind-the-scenes glimpses into the work leading up to the spectacular parades, and have a chance to see the horse stables. 

Photo op: You can even try on a cavalryman uniform.

7. Hampton Court Palace

This impressive palace in southwest London is best known for its 16th-century resident King Henry VIII who shared the place with his six wives. 

You can tour inside Hampton Court Palace, get lost in its gardens and maze, or enjoy events such as literature and food festivals and outdoor performances. They even have an onsite restaurant. If you love castles and palaces, you can easily spend a day here.

8. Windsor Castle

About an hour by train from London, Windsor Castle, built in the late 11th century, is where Queen Elizabeth II spent most of her final years. The late monarch is buried in the King George IV Memorial Chapel inside the castle alongside her husband Prince Philip. Visitors can tour the castle and pay their respects at the grave. 

Did you know? Windsor and nearby Eton are an easy day trip from London by train.

How to tour royal London

While it’s perfectly possible to visit the royal hotspots on your own, a tour is a great idea especially if you are a first-timer (or limited on time). 

We run a daily Royal London Walking Tour, taking you straight to all the highlights, including Buckingham Palace (Changing the Guard ceremony included!), St James’ Palace and Westminster. Along the way, you’ll learn plenty of interesting facts — and some royal gossip too.

My royal London experience

Bumping into a royal is more likely than you might think in the U.K. 

A few months into my first London job, Charles, then Prince of Wales, and Camilla came to visit my office. Following a formal invitation, we received a briefing on how to act around royals (don’t actively approach them or ask for selfies, address them with “Your Royal Highness”, then “Sir” or “Ma’am”). 

On the day, the pair was in great spirits, shook hands and chatted. Charles apologized for being late and joked we should stop waving flags and hit the buffet instead. A few years later, the couple showed up next to my house to visit a mosque. I only found out by chance when I left for some grocery shopping (which was quickly postponed until later). 

Bottom line: Keep your eyes peeled for Bentleys and Rolls-Royces with the royal flag. You never know — you might unexpectedly meet the king!

Obviously, the easiest (and most predictable) way to see the British royals are at the big events. 

Charles’ coronation in 2023 was a spectacular and joyful event, where thousands of royal fans had camped for up to a week for a front row view. I arrived at 6 a.m. on the day and secured my spot a few rows back, shortly before the viewing area was closed off to avoid overcrowding. 

When Harry and Meghan married in Windsor, tens of thousands of people celebrated outside the castle, sharing snacks, wine, and prosecco while watching the ceremony on screens. If you go to London in June, don’t miss the Trooping the Colour, when the whole royal family shows up. (What’s the Trooping of the Colour about? I’ll cover this more in the FAQs below.)

My tips for anyone planning to go to a royal event are pretty straightforward:

• Get up early. You don’t have to camp, but definitely don’t arrive last-minute.
• Bring plenty of water and snacks.
• Be prepared for long waits, so consider bringing a folding chair. 

Need some more preparation? Watch “The Crown”!

FAQs about royal attractions in London

Which royal palaces can you visit in London?

Royal fans can currently visit Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace, and the Tower of London. However, King Charles reportedly plans to open more royal buildings to the public, so stay tuned! (The king just opened Balmoral Castle, located in Scotland, this spring for the first time ever, so we expect more openings in the future.)

Where can you see the crown jewels in London?

The crown jewels are on display in the Tower of London, specifically in the Jewel House. They have been stored there since 1661, and include items still used in royal ceremonies today, including the Imperial State Crown which King Charles wore on his coronation day.

What is Trooping the Colour? 

Trooping the Colour takes place in June and has been the monarch’s formal birthday bash for over 260 years, no matter when he or she was born. It’s a massive parade with 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians marching from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade and back. The royals join on horseback and in carriages. 

The celebration ends with an RAF fly-past, which the royals watch from the Buckingham Palace balcony. If you want to see the royals in flesh (and for free!), this is where you’ll want to go!

Royal London in a nutshell

If you only have a few days in London, you won’t be able to see all the royal sights in depth. However, definitely pencil in a stop at Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and the Tower of London. 

Speaking of the tower, you can tour the Tower of London with a Blue Badge guide. Learn its secrets, see the crown jewels, and maybe meet a ghost or two as you hear about its rich royal history.

Feature photo credit: Astrid Hofer