We packed as much as we could into our last day in London. Being the ambitious pair that we are, Alex and I were planning on getting up at 7 am to being the day with our final outfit shoot. I envisioned twirling in front of Buckingham Palace just after sunrise and before the hoards of tourists arrived. Except that, very typically us, we barely made it out of the hotel before 11 am and arrived to a palace surrounded by hundreds of people. Our delayed start time meant that we arrived at BP right as the changing of the guards was set to begin. Not quite the original plan, but we found a quiet little spot with a great view, that I’m sure you will agree worked out just as well. We were even able to catch the beginning of the festivities before racing back to change and head over to high tea.
As we walked back from tea, we took our regular route through Green Park and past the gates of Buckingham Palace. Just as we were about to cross one of the driveways, this guard with a giant rifle speaks into his radio and glances over at us. I thought it odd that he would carry such an unnecessarily large gun and wondered if this was usual protocol, almost sure that I hadn’t ever seen such a security presence at that hour. So the guy puts his hand out, right as we’re about to walk by him and says we’d have to wait there. I halt just behind Alex and her sister Natasha at the edge of the curb and in what felt like slow motion, the palace gates open up. I freeze. Could it be? But it was, it surely was. My hand wanted to reach for my phone, but my head and hands just weren’t linking up. An SUV rolls out, and there in the passenger seat, window down and everything, was Prince Philip himself. Alex’s hand shot up into a vigorous wave, a huge grin taking over her face, like a child at a parade waving at Santa Clause. Philip gave her a half smile and a slight hand wave. It was AMAZING. All three of us broke into a fit of giggles as we strolled back to the hotel to collect our things and leave. A royal sendoff?! I mean, what an unbeatable way to end our time in London! And even if I wasn’t quite able to capture it all on camera, at least I have these photos to remember the day by!
Photos by To Vogue Or Bust
Bell Sleeve Blouse from Forever21
Skirt from H&M
Nude Pumps c/o Ted Baker
Black Bag c/o Ted Baker
Sunglasses from Forever21
