In this podcast, we’re back in Scotland again exploring the culture and the country through the stories, opinions and voice of a Scotsman. With Britain’s Royal family all over the news these days with new babies and upcoming weddings, this short podcast episode is about the Royal Family from a different view.
Through story and opinion, hear a Scotsman share about how he thinks Queen Elizabeth is a great lady… and why Prince Harry is his favorite. Along the way, you get to hear a story about a dinner party and a finger bowl, plus thoughts on how overbearing it could feel for the royal family to have to live their lives open to public visibility and scrutiny.
With Britain’s Royal Family all over the news these days, sending quick congratulations from our little podcast to out to Prince William and Kate Middleton for their newest family addition and to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for their upcoming wedding. May every one of you enjoy love and happiness together…
QUOTES
“Queen Elizabeth got a signed agreement of 30 officials in under 40 minutes…”
“… but they’ll speak to the Queen, because they all love Lizzie…”
“There are as many people in the North who do or do not support the Royal family, it is not an English or Scottish thing”
“There’s a group of people who, when the Royals have children, they camp outside the palace and cry. I don’t understand. They call themselves Royalists. I prefer to call them stalkers.”
“The Queen is a great lady”
” I don’t admire many people, but I do admire William and Harry… they had to share the hardest day in any man’s life with 100 million pairs of eyes watching them. ”
“Harry is my favorite.”
“The press need to back off”
“Give him a break, okay?”
“…and I think William is jealous.”
“As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realize that one of the things I cannot put a price tag on is my anonymity.”
CAN I SEE BRITISH ROYAL SITES ON VACATION IN THE UK?
The British Monarchy has symbolism and respect worldwide. For something we hear about or see on TV in passing news, when you travel to the UK (England, Scotland, Whales, Northern Ireland) where it is…well, real. The palaces, the newspaper headlines, the souvenir shops, the books, the tour guides, the opinions and stories of locals. It’s the real deal and kind of cool for an outsider to visit the UK and temporarily feel like you’re connected to it even for just a couple of days and especially for visitors to England, both in and around London.
If you’re looking for British Royal tourism options, your visit to the UK should not disappoint. Clearly the must-see royal tourist list includes a stop in London to Buckingham Palace to watch the changing of the guards ceremony. Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the Queen and one of Britain’s most recognizable landmarks. It’s also easy to get to from London transit whether the nearby Hop On Hop Off bus stop, the metro, or other bus. But there’s more than that nearby. Another great stop is a visit to the park and see the Princess Diana Gardens and Memorial Fountain inside of Hyde Park.
But what about Scotland? Yep, you can get your British Royal vacation taste there too. In the heart of Edinburgh anchored on each end of the Royal Mile, in fact. Holyrood Palace is the Queen’s residence in Edinburgh and offers tours daily that include walking the gardens, plus there is that massive and historic Edinburgh Castle just a mile up the road to visit and explore. Outside of Edinburgh, there is the impressive Balmoral Estate in Aberdeenshire which is open to visitors in Spring and Summer.
Quick List of top British Royal attractions for visitors to the UK:
- Buckingham Palace: London, England
- Kensington Palace: London, England
- Windsor Castle: Windsor, England
- Westminster Abbey: London, England
- Hampton Court Palace: London, England
- Sandringham House & Estate: Norfolk, England
- Edinburgh Castle: Edinburgh, Scotland
- Hollyrood Palace: Edinburgh, Scotland
- Balmoral Castle & Estate: Aberdeenshire, Scotland
- Watch the Military Tatoo: Edinburgh, Scotland
SHOP SCOTLAND VACATIONS
Do people buy souvenirs of the Royal Family?
Well, yes. And, if this interests you then you should not go home empty-handed on your visit to England. Particularly in London you will find many souvenir shops full of typical t-shirts, coffee mugs, key chains and flags for whatever your British fancy is… even the royal family. Confession, we’re guilty here too, bought multiple Princess Diana items during a visit to London. Then in Edinburgh at Holyrood Palace almost bought that teacup set from the Queen’s Jubilee 90th Birthday… before common sense kicked in and the realization it was likely to get smashed to bits in our luggage… and if somehow it made the trip back to the US it would be doomed to live in the back of a cupboard for years surrounded by coffee cups we don’t drink from.
Curious what kinds of souvenirs you might find in the UK?
Here’s a quick YouTube video to give you a feel for a typical souvenir shop.