We are deeply saddened by the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the United Kingdom’s longest reigning monarch, who was on the throne for over 70 years, and we are incredibly thankful for the immeasurable contribution she has made to our country. Our thoughts are also with the new king, and we would like to congratulate His Majesty on his accession as King Charles III. 

We offer our sincere condolences to the Royal Family and we are extremely grateful for the lifelong service given by The Queen to the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. Her legacy will live on around the globe for many years to come. Prince Charles, who has been heir to the throne throughout this time, is now welcomed as King Charles III.

The nation has been deeply affected by The Queen’s passing and it is truly the end of an era. However, amongst the grief is a sense of affection and support for the new king, who has waited patiently and steadfastly to fulfil his destiny. Both Queen Elizabeth and now King Charles have left – and will continue to leave – their stamp on modern Britain.

The United Kingdom is in a period of official mourning for The Queen as plans are made for her state funeral on 19 September. This will, in time, be followed by preparations for the coronation of the new king.

His Majesty King Charles III

One thing is for sure, the eyes of the world will be on the UK in the coming weeks and months as we deliver the pomp and ceremony our country is so well known for, and no doubt many people will be keen to visit the UK, to pay their respects and to welcome the new king.

Royal landmarks

There are many palaces, cathedrals and historic buildings in the news at the moment, all associated with the Royal Family, and some that are integral to the formalities of succession. These landmarks can of course be experienced on a tour of London or the United Kingdom. Here is our guide to some of those you will see in the news.

Balmoral Castle © VisitScotland / North East 250 / Damian Shields

Balmoral Castle, on Royal Deeside in Scotland's picturesque Cairngorms, was the holiday home of the Royal Family, where The Queen spent time each summer, and where sadly Her Majesty died. The Queen loved the wide-open spaces where she could walk or ride for miles without being disturbed. Balmoral Castle and Gardens can generally be visited from April to July each year, with group visits sometimes available outside of this time.

On leaving Balmoral, the cortège with the Queen's coffin made its way to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, passing through Aberdeen and Dundee, as huge crowds lined the route. The Palace of Holyroodhouse stands at the end of Edinburgh’s famous Royal Mile, and is the monarch's official residence in Scotland. Holyroodhouse is open to the public five days a week all year round, except in July and August, when it is open seven days, unless the royal family is visiting.

The Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh © VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

The Queen's coffin then travelled by hearse in a procession to St Giles' Cathedral, where Her Majesty lay in rest for 24 hours before being flown to London. St Giles' Cathedral is the historic city church of Edinburgh, which has been at the heart of Scottish events for over 600 years. The cathedral is open to to visitors all year round, except when certain services are taking place.

The official London residence of the British monarch, Buckingham Palace is so often the focal point for national rejoicing but, at the moment, the focus of our national mourning. Princess Elizabeth lived at Buckingham Palace as a child and moved back there when she became Queen in 1952. King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla will now reside there. The palace is open to the public each summer.

Buckingham Palace © VisitBritain / Andrew Pickett

St James’s Palace in London is the most senior royal palace in the United Kingdom and has been the setting for some of the most important events in royal history. It was from here that Elizabeth was proclaimed Queen and Charles proclaimed King. Built for King Henry VIII in the 1530s, the palace reached its pinnacle of importance in the 18th century, before Queen Victoria formalised the move to Buckingham Palace. While not open to the public, the palace’s exquisite Tudor gatehouse in Pall Mall should not be missed and its Chapel Royal can be visited for worship.

From 14 to 19 September 2022, Her Majesty will lie in state at Westminster Hall, the oldest part of the Palace of Westminster (the Houses of Parliament), allowing members of the public to pay their respects to The Queen. Westminster Hall was built over 900 years ago by King William II, but the incredible hammer beam roof – to this day the largest in the world and the largest medieval timber roof in Northern Europe – was added in the late 14th century. Public tours of the hall generally take place monthly.

Westminster Abbey is at the heart of Britain's royal history (Photographer: Julian Elliott)

The funeral of Queen Elizabeth II will take place at Westminster Abbey – the first British monarch to have their funeral there since 1760. Westminster Abbey has been at the heart of Britain’s royal history for almost 1,000 years. The Abbey was the site of The Queen’s Coronation in 1953 and will be the site of King Charles’s too. In 1947, Princess Elizabeth married the future Prince Philip there. Westminster Abbey is one of the most visited destinations in London and a must-see.

On the outskirts of London, Windsor Castle has been home to 40 monarchs and is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world. Queen Elizabeth loved living at Windsor and she will be buried at St George’s Chapel there, alongside her parents. Windsor Castle is usually open to the public five days a week.

If your clients would like to visit London or the United Kingdom in the months and years to come on a tour of the locations and landmarks associated with the Royal Family, please do contact us.