We got up early again (sorry kids), had breakfast at the hotel and hopped on the Tube to St. James' Park. We had tickets for the tour of the State Room and Diamond exhibit at Buckingham Palace. We pass through security and attached our audio guides. The tour was fantastic. We entered through the ambassador's entrance and ascended the Grand Staircase. Such opulence and incredible history of the kings and queens who left their mark on the palace. Sadly, we couldn't take any photos while inside the Palace. The tour included an exhibit of Royal diamonds. We saw the Coronation crown, the Culnan diamonds and Queen Victoria's mini crown along with much more. Incredible workmanship. Each piece was dazzling in the lights.
We left the Palace and walked through the grounds stopping along the way at the gift shop for a couple of souvenirs.
We had lunch at Pret A Manger (great selection of gourmet sandwiches and salads) at Hyde Park Corner. After we hopped on a no. 74 bus to Harrods. We checked out the Food Halls and purchased some tea. John and Esme went to visit the pet department after learning the had sold a baby elephant in 1967. I think there were only puppies to be purchase. Too bad.
We headed out on the no. 74 bus to South Kensington for dinner. The rain had been on and off all day. We ended up having a great meal at Comptoir Lebanais (sp?). We sat under the orange awning out of the rain. Great aubergine tangine and Lebanese beer.
We walked around the area of the Victoria & Albert, Natural History and Science museums before hopping on the Tube back to the hotel.