Britain

Hang out the bunting! There’s celebration in the air this issue as the Queen becomes the first British monarch to reign for 70 years. In this Platinum Jubilee special we look back at her magnificent reign through seven iconic portraits (The Queen through the decades, p25); we speak to the Queen’s hatter about the excitement of a royal commission (Last Word, p82); and we cherry-pick the best of the royal exhibitions, events and Jubilee teas (The Bulletin, p9). One of England’s finest stately homes, Blenheim Palace, is celebrating a big anniversary of its own this summer (The first Churchill, p35); while Seaton Delaval Hall, once home to a Georgian family known for their parties and practical jokes, is being restored to its former glory (The drama of the Delavals, p44). And as…

STAR LETTER MEMORIES OF LONDON My love of London/Britain began about 86 years ago when my older sisters would read to me, and one of A.A. Milne’s books was a favorite – about Christopher Robin “going to the Palace”. Then, newspaper and radio accounts of the new King George VI and his family held my attention for many years. In 1978, our uncle remembered his nieces and nephews in his will, and two sisters and I signed with a tour group from a local college for a ten-day tour of London! We covered many miles and saw the wonderful places and things that I had dreamed of for a long time. We had one free day; one sister had an old guidebook describing the Queen’s Guest Book and as we strolled down…

GARDENS Blooming lovely Summer 2022 will be a beautiful one at the Tower of London, as 20 million seeds planted in the famous moat will burst into flower in an incredible new display: ‘Superbloom’. Planted in honour of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, the sea of scented flowers will constantly evolve from June to September, changing colours and patterns and creating a biodiverse space to support wildlife. The initiative is part of a project to transform the moat into a new natural landscape in the heart of the city, supporting nature as well as our own wellbeing: a permanent Jubilee legacy. www.hrp.org.uk SHOPPING Jubilee souvenirs There are plenty of Jubilee souvenirs on offer for you to commemorate this summer’s royal events. Tuck into some treats from Biscuiteers, whose new Buckingham Palace collection of biscuits are hand-iced with…

The only hotel with a Royal Warrant, The Goring are celebrating the milestone with a special Jubilee-themed afternoon tea. Dishes include traditional treats such as coronation chicken and royal fruit cake, and Jubilee-themed cocktails have been created for the occasion. Meanwhile, the Platinum Jubilee Afternoon Tea at the Taj 51 Buckingham Gate will send you on a delicious journey through Her Majesty’s 70-year reign. On the menu are delicacies such as Bombe Glacé Princess Elizabeth, which was served at the wedding of the young Princess and Philip Mountbatten in and Peaches à la Reine Alexandra, a frangipane, peach and apple tart that’s a favourite at royal banquets. www.thegoring.com; taj51buckinghamgate.co.uk…

Every recipe in Tea at the Palace: 50 Delicious Recipes for Afternoon Tea (White Lion Publishing, £14.99) has its own royal inspiration. Written by Carolyn Robb, former chef to the Prince and Princess of Wales, this new book is the tastiest way to pay tribute to Her Majesty. Ingredients: 150g butter, at room temp, plus more for the tin180g whole blanched almonds60g fine polenta Finely grated zest of 4 lemons, plus extra to serve180g caster sugar, plus more for dusting4 free-range eggs, separated200g whole-milk ricotta cheese Juice of 2 lemons Method: Preheat the oven to 150°C (Gas mark 2). Butter the sides of a 23-cm round springform tin and line the bottom with nonstick baking paper. In a food processor, pulse the almonds until finely ground. Add the polenta and lemon zest and process…

Harry of England: The History of Eight Kings from Henry I to Henry VIII by Teresa Cole (£20, Amberley Publishing). A fascinating glimpse into the lives of eight kings united by a name. A 1930s Childhood: From Conker Fights to Coal Fires by Colin G. Maggs (£9.99, The History Press). Memories of growing up in the 1930s in Britain, from home life, games and food to history-changing events. The Castle: A History by John Goodall (£16.99, Yale Books). A thrilling history of the castle in Britain, from the middle ages to the present day, drawing on poems, letters and novels. Shadowlands: A Journey through Lost Britain by Matthew Green (£20, Faber). The historian explores places across Britain that have been lost to war, plagues, natural phenomena and economic shifts. Magical Britain by Rob Wildwood…