Majesty's pleasure

If the monarchy was to fall, Britain's tourism industry would be the biggest casualty and, for Kiwis on holiday, a trip to London would be much the poorer. But 2011 will herald a renaissance in royal-watching with the lavish April wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. If you're planning a London getaway, here are the must-see royal sights.
Buckingham Palace is not the prettiest of royal residences, but it remains the headquarters of the British monarchy and the official London residence of Her Majesty the Queen. Its austere grey facade is hardly inspirational, although recently installed floodlights illuminate Buck House spectacularly at night.
If you're tripping to London in August or September, be sure to take advantage of the limited opportunity to tour the State Rooms of the palace.
Nineteen lavishly furnished rooms with richly guilded ceilings are opened for public viewing. I found the furnishings truly overwhelming - if somewhat garish. The interiors just drip with wealth.
Changing of the Guard is the quintessential British experience. Pomp and pageantry is the name of the game as the palace guards perform their daily marching ceremony and handover of the palace keys. The ceremony takes place daily at 11.30am from April to September, and every second day through autumn and winter. Arrive early to get the best view.
Adjacent to Buck House, the Royal Mews is a working stable and coach house, home to several dozen royal horses and a staggering fleet of state coaches and royal vehicles.
The biggest show-stopper is the ornate gold state coach, which has carried every incoming monarch to their coronation since 1762. Lovers of horses and royal pomp must not miss a visit to this vital cog in the royal machine.
The resplendently dressed tour guides are highly informative and charmingly friendly.
Also worth a look is the Queen's Gallery. The collection is one of the most valuable in the world, boasting sublime works from the old masters including Rembrandt and Leonardo da Vinci.
Heading west from Hyde Park, Kensington Palace is perhaps the most poignant royal attraction in London. A sense of tragedy and emptiness pervades the palace halls. Its most recent residents were of course the late Princess Diana and Princess Margaret.
It's hard not to feel sad as you wander around the palace rooms. Kensington was the primary royal residence in the 18th century until George III decided it wasn't spacious enough. In 1837, a young Princess Victoria was awoken here to be told that her uncle William had just died and that she was to be queen. Her well-furnished bedroom remains on public display, supposedly true to how it appeared in 1837.
And be sure to admire Westminster Abbey, the 1000-year-old church that will host William's grand wedding.