June is Royal Month in London as the official 90th birthday celebrations of HM The Queen take place. Get there early, book your stay at Presidential Apartments Kensington and be prepared to wait, if you want a good view.
St Paul’s Cathedral has witnessed many royal occasions, but none quite like this. On June 10 the Queen, members of the Royal Family and many specially invited guests will be arriving at St Paul’s Cathedral for a special service of thanksgiving. It will not be possible for visitors to enter the Cathedral before or during the event so If you’re staying at Aparthotels London during the period and looking to head to Cathedral, choose your time carefully. Good vantage points to see the Royal Family arriving are around the main entrance to the Cathedral and along Fleet Street.
The spectacular Trooping of the Colour event takes place the following day. Often known as the Queen’s Birthday Parade it takes place on Horse Guards Parade, situated behind Whitehall. All the soldiers from the Household Cavalry line up in full ceremonial uniforms and are inspected by HM the Queen. Most senior members of the Royal Family such as the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry will also be present. Vast crowds always watch this display, but if you cannot find a spot to watch on Horse Guards Parade head for The Mall or the area in front of Buckingham Palace.
All the members of the Royal Family, including HM the Queen, travel to and from the event in open carriages escorted by soldiers of the Household Cavalry. Their route takes them down The Mall and along the edge of St James Park into Horse Guards Parade.
At the end of the event, The Queen and other members of the Royal Family (often including many of the Royal children) appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace at 1pm to watch a fly past by airplanes from the Royal Air Force.
Yet more celebrations take place on June 12 when The Mall is transformed into a giant, lively street party with street performers and circus acts. Almost all the available places have already been sold out, as since the vast majority of the tickets were given to organizations and charities to which the Queen is a patron. The Holiday Apartments in London are all almost booked to see the glimpses of the grand celebration. You can still bring a picnic and take part by going to St James Park or Green Park and watching the entertainers on giant screens.
