Kate & Will’s London – A Royal-worthy Trip

Okay, so I know some of you are going to roll your eyes when you see this post as you couldn’t care less about the Royal Family, but if you’re anything like me you find the pomp and circumstance, and all the pageantry incredibly fascinating! On our recent trip to London we visited Buckingham Palace and strolled around Kensington Palace. I couldn’t help but think it’d be fun to visit London on a Kate and Will itinerary.

Royal-FamilySo roll out the red carpet and sound the trumpets, here is your list of royal-worthy places to visit.Duchess KateKate-LondonKate-and-Camilla

WHERE TO STAY

The first choice that comes to mind is the Goring Hotel – where the Middleton’s stayed before the BIG wedding. Even If you don’t stay there you could always pop in for afternoon tea following a visit to Buckingham Palace (which is nearby).

Since Kate and Will’s residence in London is Kensington Palace, the second obvious choice would be a hotel in this neighborhood. The public areas around the palace are open to the public and this neighborhood is fabulous for wandering around.

In similar fashion, you could find a hotel in the Chelsea neighborhood, where the Middleton family own a flat and where Kate made her home post-university.

South-KensingtonSouth-KensingtonChelsea-London

WHERE TO EAT

I scoured the web in search of restaurants where the famous couple are said to have visited. While I have no clue if these are accurate, here’s what I found:

    • Koffman’s (Kate’s pre-wedding lunch date with Camilla)
    • Dans Le Noir *Apparently you eat your meal in the dark and are served anonymously by blind waiters. I can see how it would be fun to be anonymous every now and again when you’re one of the most famous couples in the world.
    • Brompton Bar and Grill (one of Will’s favorites apparently)
    • Bluebird Café  (Kate, Carole and Pippa were said to have lunched here)
    • C London in Mayfair
    • Scott’s Seafood in Mayfair
    • Brinkley’s in Chelsea
    • Tom’s Kitchen

After dinner head over to Boujis in South Kensington or Mahiki in Mayfair for nightlife. Both clubs are extremely exclusive, so if you aren’t already famous you probably won’t make it through the door.

South-Kensington

WHERE TO SHOP

For repli-Kate looks head over to King’s Road for upscale shopping. Here is a list of some of the brands Kate’s been known to wear and places she’s shopped at:

  • Jigsaw (Kate worked as an accessories buyer here)
  • Reiss
  • LK Bennett
  • Harvey Nichols & Harrods
  • Issa
  • Whistles
  • GOAT
  • Alexander McQueen
  • Jenny Packham
  • Temperley London

If you’re looking for a bargain, Kate’s been spotted in a few Zara items over the years! You can find these stores all over London, Europe and in New York.

Also, Harrods is a fun department store to stroll through and pick up a few souvenirs. There is a somewhat tacky Diana memorial in the basement (somewhat controversial because it is a tribute to Diana and Dodi). But might be worth passing through if you’re in the area.

harrods

If you’re shopping for your man, check out a few of Will’s spots:

  • Hackett on Sloane Street
  • Gieves & Hawkes (for suits and formal wear)
  • Turnbull & Asser

And for your little one’s head into Blue Almonds, Trotters, or Dragons of Walton Street.Buckingham Palace

PLACES TO TOUR

  • Buckingham Palace – the official London residence of Britain’s sovereigns since 1837
  • Westminster Abbey – the location of the Royal wedding
  • Tower of London – see the crown jewels
  • Madame Tussauds – if you’re into seeing wax people then this is the place for you! I’ve actually never been to one of these museums, but I’ve heard they are actually quite fun! The London museum has a replica of the Duchess in her blue Issa dress and her sapphire engagement ring.
  • National Portrait Gallery – The Duchess’s first portrait hangs here

 Buckingham palace

SPORTING EVENTS

Last but not least, if you visit during Wimbledon, you can channel the royals and get a ticket to see a match. Or if soccer is in season, head over to an English Premier league game (Prince William is said to root for Aston Villa while Harry prefers Arsenal).

WimbledonArsenalKate-and-Will

What else would you add to the list?

Happy Travels!

Jenny

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7 Comments

  1. 10.8.15

    Love this! Great idea for an article and great suggestions. Will be following this lead the next time I’m in London 🙂

  2. 10.8.15
    April said:

    Fun post, Jenny! I haven’t been to London in five years and I can’t wait to go back! I love Kate’s style and her sensibility regarding fashion and many other things. I hope you had some delicious Indian food while you were in London……some of the best anywhere. I meant to comment on your husband’s driving advice post for the south of France. I found it to be very entertaining and he really had so many good tips with a good dose of humor! Hmmm…..maybe he should be an occasional contributor? Nice going with the Mercedes! My husband and I used to drive on European trips and now we find it easier to take the train with the kids! 😉 Where did you live in the SF area when you lived out here? Have a great weekend!

    • 10.8.15

      Thanks, April! I couldn’t agree more! I’ll pass your compliments on to my husband. And tell him he’s been requested to be an occasional contributor!:) He’ll love that! I imagine we’ll be doing the trains instead of driving once we have kids too! So much easier and safer! I used to live in the Marina area. I loved it! Wish I still lived there! Where in the bay area are you?

      xo

  3. 1.20.17

    nice ideas!