If someone turned to me tomorrow and said your career as a journalist is over, I would bow out a happy man because, lovely reader, today I visited Buckingham Palace - the one place in London I've been desperate to visit over the last year. In the last 12 months I've become somewhat intrigued with the Royal Family, reading all kinds of books, watching documentaries and being a general Royal geek, so to visit the home of the 'Firm' is quite momentous for me. Kind of like meeting Kim Kardashian, just different!
Today was the press preview of the summer opening of the State rooms in the Palace including, of course, the Royal Wedding Dress (and accessories, even the cake). On entering the big doors to the side of the Palace, I noticed it was the very entrance from where the Queen leaves to get into the carriages that whizz her off for banquets etc. I felt positively regal!
I went full on geek and accepted the audio guided tour. Making my way through the State rooms, open-mouthed, I really was in awe. There's been debates, arguments, discussions on why we have a Monarchy for years, what purpose they serve, but I think once you go and have a look at the Palace, the largest fully working Palace in Europe I believe, and see exactly how much tourism and interest it gathers, you'll re-think any negative opinions. It's precisely the pomp and grandeur of the Institution that brings millions and millions of pounds to this country. Not to harp on or anything, but apparently, according to Royal sources, 600,000 tickets to see Kate's dress and the State Rooms have already been sold at £17.50 before the doors even open tomorrow. That's over £10million. Yup, you heard right.
And as for the dress, well, there's nothing quite like seeing it up close. A video of Sarah Burton, creative director of the Alexander McQueen label and designer of the Royal dress, plays in the impressive Ballroom just in front of the actual dress on it's pedestal. In the video Sarah details the design process - she tells us that there are actually 6 different laces making up the unique lace on the dress, all hand-appliquéd onto the bodice and train. She also explains that the white satin was overlaid with an ivory satin to produce the off-white colour of the dress. Kate's shoes also featured the very same hand-stitched lace from the dress.
Then came the cake. It was probably as tall as me. The most impressive cake I've ever seen, never mind my attempts at cup cakes! Made by genius cake maker Fiona Cairns, the cake featured 17 different flowers chosen by the Duchess that all represent something close to her and Wills and their union. I wanted to take a big bite. All that stood between us was the probably bullet-proof glass housing it! You can see from the above pic where Wills cut into the cake with his sword. The couple took the top two layers away with them, which have been replaced for display purposes now.
Go and have a tour people. It really is worth it. The Palace is just so impressive! I want to live there now. I should have taken up camp in one of the rooms. And waited for Harry to propose.
I couldn't resist something from the shop!!
Part of the press pack.. naturally I've already poured over it! 
My new house, from the garden!