Queen Elizabeth II is the longest serving British monarch as well as the world’s longest-reigning queen regnant. She has also just celebrated her 90th birthday, with celebrations planned all year. The big bash planned for her official birthday in June provides a great excuse for the Middle East’s royal enthusiasts to travel to the UK.
Here are some things to experience while you’re there.
17 Bruton Street, Mayfair
The Queen was born at this address, her maternal grandfather’s London house, at 2.40am on April 21, 1926. Although the house was demolished in 1937 to make way for the redevelopment of Berkeley Square as we now know it, a plaque marks the royal birthplace — a perfect selfie spot.
Then have a bite at what’s located there now — Hakkasan, the celebrated Chinese restaurant, lounge and nightlife brand that also has a presence in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Walk off your meal in the Berkeley Square gardens, home to some of the oldest trees in London.
The Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace
You might not be lucky enough to be invited for high tea with Her Majesty, but you can still get your royal fix through a visit to this gallery exhibiting artwork from the Royal Collection. Launched in 1962, it was the first time parts of the palace were opened to the public.
The Royal Yacht Britannia, Leith, Edinburgh
Having served the Royal Family for more than four decades and over a million miles, Her Majesty has described the Britannia as “the one place I can truly relax”.
Now a popular tourist attraction, the venue is celebrating The Queen’s 90th birthday year with a host of activities, serving some of the monarch’s favourites including cucumber sandwiches, chocolate perfection pie and a Dubonnet cocktail.
Westminster Abbey
This 700-year-old building is intrinsically linked to the British royals, acting as a backdrop to celebrations of life, love and death.
On November 20, 1947, Princess Elizabeth became the tenth royal bride to be married in Westminster Abbey when she wed Prince Philip in front of about 2,000 guests. The day after the ceremony she sent her wedding bouquet to be laid on the Grave of the Unknown Warrior, following a royal tradition started by her mother. The couple have also commemorated their Silver, Golden and Diamond wedding anniversaries at the Abbey.
The Queen was crowned here at the age of 25 on June 2, 1953 after 16 months of preparations. A portrait by Ralph Heimans of the Queen in her coronation dress will be on display in the new Jubilee Galleries from 2018.
The Abbey welcomes more than one million visitors a year, in addition to thousands of worshippers who flock here for the daily services.
Sandringham Estate
Since her first visit as an eight-month-old baby at Christmas 1926, the Queen has had a deep connection with this property, as had her father, grandfather and great-grandfather. She spent large parts of the Second World War here, and was even featured in newspapers helping with the harvest in 1943.
Queen Elizabeth II made her first televised broadcast from the library here live on Christmas Day in 1957.
With a strong focus on conservation, the estate boasts thousands of trees and several miles of hedges. The house is open to visitors when the Queen isn’t at home. The museum and grounds are open year-round. The estate hosts craft fairs and country shows throughout the year, while Sandringham Country Park has two nature trails as well as camping and caravan sites.
