May 7

 Today we headed off to Windsor to visit Windsor Castle where we saw the changing of the guard.  

THE QUEEN WAS HERE!

As you see the Windsor flag flying high in the sky, this symbolized the Queen is present.

The Windsor Castle Guard is provided by the resident regiment of Foot Guards, from the Household Division, in their full-dress uniform of red tunics and bearskins accompanied by the Guards Band. 

Changing of the guard at Windsor takes place outside the Guardroom in the Lower Ward of the Castle. The new guard, accompanied by the band, march from Victoria barracks, up Sheet Street, left into High Street, past the Parrish Church and the Guildhall, then turn right onto Castle Hill by Queen Victoria's statue and into the castle.

 Here Guards Mikayla, Sami, and Amanda are ready to protect Queen Julia. Watch out... 

After the changing of the guard ceremony we were able to tour the castle and Blogmaster Sami was able to sneak a few pictures! Although we were only allowed to view certain parts of the castle we enjoyed this opportunity immensely.

 Queen Mary's doll houses the largest, most beautiful and the most famous dolls' house in the world. Built for Queen Mary by the leading British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens between 1921 and 1924. Among the most striking features of Queen Mary's Dolls' House are the library, bursting with original works by the top literary names of the day, a fully stocked wine cellar and a garden created by Gertrude Jekyll. The Dolls' House even includes electricity, running hot and cold water, working elevators, and flushing toilets.  

 

This is the part of the castle where the Queen lives. 

St. George's Chapel is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in England and is particularly noted for its magnificent for it's stone fan vaulting. It is the spiritual home of the Order of the Guarder, the Senior Order of the British Chivalry established in 1348 by Edward III.  Within the chapel are the tombs of ten sovereigns, including Henry VIII, and his third wife, Jane Seymour, and Charles I. At least three services take place every day. This is where the Queen attends services on a regular basis. 

The group stops to take a quick selfie with the Windsor Castle. 

We visited Fortnum and Mason department store today because of its regality and luxurious items for sale. The store was built in 1707. It is recognized internationally for its high quality goods and as an iconic British symbol. The Queen was spotted here two weeks ago with two ladies in waiting. 

This is the friendly door man that has the pleasure the greet every customer that enters and leaves the department store.