A journalist for more than 30 years, Robert Hardman is one of the UK's leading authors and commentators on the Royal Family. His books include Monarchy, Queen Of The World and Our Queen and he has written and produced documentaries including Prince Philip - The Royal Family Remembers, Anne - The Princess Royal At 70, George III - The Genius of the Mad King, Charles at 60 and The Queen's Castle on both the BBC and ITV. He now writes the How I See It column in the Daily Mail. A Cambridge Classics graduate, he is married with three children and lives in London.

Escorted tour
Tour Britain's Royal Palaces and hear from royal expert Robert Hardman

Get a glimpse of how the Royal Family live on this exclusive two-night tour around some of Britain's most iconic and lavish palaces. Visit St George's Chapel, Hampton Court Palace, the Tower of London and Westminster Abbey, before a very special behind-the-scenes tour of the State Apartments at Windsor Castle.
Robert Hardman will join you on this tour, and having spent over 25 years as a royal correspondent, who better to provide dramatic insights along the way. Not only that, Robert will give an exclusive talk and open the floor to guests' questions, as well as sign a copy of his book Queen of Our Times - The Life of Elizabeth II.
"We loved all of it, but Windsor Castle blew me away."
- October 2022 Guest












Reasons to book

Meet Robert Hardman

St George's chapel

Hampton Court Palace
Your expert guide

Price includes
- Two nights' bed and breakfast at the four-star Talbot Ripley Hotel in Surrey.
- Set menu dinner at the hotel restaurant on your second night.
- Exclusive talk and Q&A with Robert Hardman.
- Visit St George's Chapel***.
- Private, after-hours tour of Windsor Castle and a glass of Champagne.
- London palaces tour including Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace exterior and the Tower of London and all admission fees.
- Coach transfers.
- Services of a tour manager throughout.
This short three-day tour gives you a great overview of the most important Royal palaces across London. There is a lot to see and do in three days, so be prepared for a busy schedule! Day one of this trip is particularly fast paced and we would recommend to those coming from further afield to arrive the night before. Our reservations team can assist you with booking this pre-night.
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Itinerary
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Day1Windsor and St George's ChapelWindsor, United Kingdom
Arrive at the Talbot Hotel, Ripley at lunchtime and drop your bags off, ready to leave the hotel at 1:30 pm for your transfer to Windsor. You will have the opportunity to visit St George's Chapel (subject to the chapel being open), where the late Queen was laid to rest before being transferred to the King George VI Memorial Chapel. Spend the afternoon exploring Windsor and enjoy an early dinner (not included). In the evening, you'll enjoy a private tour of the State apartments and a Champagne reception before returning to the hotel.
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Day2Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, National Gallery and exclusive talk with Robert HardmanCity of Westminster, United Kingdom
Today you'll enjoy a day in London starting with a tour of Westminster Abbey (including entrance fee), a World Heritage Site with over 1,000 years of history. Traditionally the place for Royal coronations, weddings and burials, every British monarch since King Harold and William the Conqueror in 1066 has been crowned here and it has been the location for 17 Royal weddings, including Prince William and Kate Middleton's in 2011. From Westminster you'll enjoy a guided walk to Buckingham Palace for an exterior view and along The Mall to Trafalgar Square before enjoying lunch at your leisure (not included). Afternoon visit to the wonderful National Gallery before returning to your hotel in time to freshen up for this evening's dinner and talk. This evening enjoy a welcome drink before Robert Hardman joins you for an exclusive talk and Q&A and dinner at the hotel.
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Day3The Tower of London and Hampton Court PalaceHampton Court Palace, United Kingdom
This morning you'll visit the Tower of London, established by William Conqueror in 1066 and still one of the UK's most iconic buildings. In the afternoon you'll visit Hampton Court Palace. Dating back to 1515, it was commissioned by Cardinal Wolsey, who later gifted it to Henry VIII and is one of only two of his palaces still in existence. After time for lunch at the palace (not included) you'll then be transferred back to the hotel to check-out and return home.
Accommodation


The Talbot Inn
Historic pub, hotel and restaurant on the high street in Ripley
It is said that this 500-year-old coaching inn on Ripley's historic high street is where Lord Nelson's relationship with Lady Hamilton "blossomed". Rooms are spread across four buildings, some overlooking the old coach courtyard. Originally a stop-off point between London and Portsmouth, this puropse remains today, although many punters drop by for the history lesson, ordering a pint and some 'Nelson's nuts'.
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Availability
* From price is per person, based on two people sharing a room, subject to availability. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement £90pp. Deposit £75pp. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. **One copy per booking. ***Subject to the chapel being open. In the case of unforeseen circumstances, expert(s) may be substituted, and any expert-led events may be subject to change. Expert(s) will not join you for your full trip duration unless otherwise stated. Travel insurance is not included and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Travel Editions Group Ltd, ABTA V3120 and TS Travel Limited (ATOL bonded).