On June 13, 2009, we spent a fun day in one of our new favorite cities. We went to watch the Trooping of the Colour (http://www.trooping-the-colour.co.uk/) parade in honor of the Queen's birthday. It was quite an event. Although we did not have the "golden tickets" inside the palace gates, we were able to watch the parade along The Mall on the way to Buckingham Palace. The guests with tickets were dressed very elegantly. The women wore fancy dresses and Kentucky Derby style hats. The men were dressed in suits with tails, often pinstriped, and some even wore a top hat. It was quite a site!During the parade, we saw the horses, bands, a royal dog and, of course, the Royal Procession. We saw Camilla, Price William and Henry, several Dukes and Earls (Charles was in there somewhere) and Her Majesty the Queen.
Afterwards, we toured Westminster Abbey (http://www.westminster-abbey.org/home) Unfortunately, we were unable to take photos of the inside. It was amazing. Over 3,00o people are buried in this 700 year old building including kings, queens, Charles Darwin and Charles Dickens. Staring in 1066, 36 coronations have taken place in the abbey. Princess Diana's funeral was also held here in 1997. The highlight of our tour, was when Sarah and Eric were specially invited by a tour guide to sit in the Queen's chair inside the abbey. I wish I could have taken a picture!
It was quite a royal day full of memories we will never forget. Long live the Queen!
