They say every young girl wants to be a Princess – but visitors to London can learn all about the real thing with the London Pass.
The popular sightseeing card includes entry to more than 60 attractions, many of which have a strong connection to the Royal family and the lives of its best-loved Princesses.
Kensington Palace
Famously the home of Princess Diana, who lived here from the time of her wedding to Prince Charles in 1981 until her death in 1997, Kensington Palace is currently hosting an exhibition of Diana’s most beautiful and significant dresses. The exhibit, ‘Diana: Her Fashion Story’, includes collections that allow visitors to follow her journey from Royal bride to People’s Princess, to becoming one of the world’s best-loved style icons. Don’t miss the midnight blue velvet gown worn famously at the White House during a dance with John Travolta! The exhibition will run until 28 February 2018.
Visitors to Kensington Palace may even be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of Princess Charlotte, the Royal family’s youngest Princess, with her parents Prince William and Kate soon to move back into the Palace!
Normally priced at £16.30 per adult, entry to Kensington Palace is included with the London Pass.
Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey has been the coronation church of the British Royal family since the 11th century, but this UNESCO World Heritage Site is also famous for its Royal weddings. The Abbey played a significant role in the life of the young Princess Elizabeth in the mid-20th century. It was here that the 21 year-old Princess married her cousin Philip Mountbatten, the newly-created Duke of Edinburgh, on 20 November 1947; less than six years later, on 2 June 1953, she was crowned as Queen Elizabeth II in a ceremony watched by 27 million Britons.
Normally priced at £20 per person, entry to Westminster Abbey is included with the London Pass.
The Tower of London
In March 1554, with England in the grip of religious turmoil, an earlier Princess Elizabeth was imprisoned in the Tower of London by her own sister, Queen Mary. Here the 20 year-old daughter of Henry VIII stayed for more than two months, her life hanging by a thread as Mary’s advisors attempted to gather evidence of her treason. They failed, and the Princess went on to succeed her sister as Elizabeth I, reigning for 45 years. Today visitors entering the fortress will pass the Bell Tower where the Princess was confined, and look up to ‘Elizabeth’s Walk’ – the ramparts on which she was allowed to take exercise.
Normally priced at £22.50, entry to the Tower of London is included with the London Pass.
Windsor Castle
Known as the Royal family’s favourite residence to this day, historic Windsor Castle has a particular association with the current Queen’s younger sister, Princess Margaret. During the Second World War, with the family evacuated to Windsor, it was the vivacious Margaret who initiated their Christmas Pantomimes. These were performed by the family to an audience of friends in the magnificent Waterloo Chamber, which visitors can see today on a tour of the State Apartments. Margaret retained her affection for Windsor, returning there at various points in her life, and following her death in 2002 her ashes were placed in the castle’s St George’s Chapel, reckoned to be one of England’s most beautiful buildings.
Normally priced at £20, entry to Windsor Castle is included with the London Pass.
Visitors using the London Pass to enjoy these and other London attractions save money on the cost of paying individually at each site. And at some of the most popular sites, like the Tower of London and Kensington Palace, they also save time with fast-track entry.
A one-day London Pass costs £62 per adult and £42 per child, and two-, three-, six- and even 10-day passes are also available. For more information, please visit: www.londonpass.com
