The Rubens at the Palace – London’s royal look-in

The facade of The Rubens at the Palace with a horse carriage outside the Royal Mews. Photos: Rubens at the Palace

While I was having my Royal Afternoon Tea (say that with a stiff upper lip) in London in early May, I was expecting to do my fair share of people-watching. Or rather “royals-watching” or watching people watching royals.

If that’s confusing, it’s just that the hotel I stayed at – The Rubens at the Palace – faces the entrance to the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace. The Mews is where the royal horses, coaches and livery are housed; its staff is responsible for all road transport arrangements for the Queen. I did see carriages passing through the entrance and also quite a number of the staff of the Royal household (it seems to double up as a staff entrance). The main entrance to the Palace itself is just around the corner.