The Tower of London and Buckingham Palace

I have seen so many diamonds the past two days. With the queen's Diamond Jubilee this year (celebrating her 60 years on the throne), it seems as if every historic site in London is showcasing as many diamonds as possible.

Yesterday, we went to the Tower of London. We saw traitor's gate, where Anne Boleyn and others entered the Tower to be imprisoned. We wandered through the various towers within the complex, where prisoners were kept. Many prisoners carved messages on the walls, which have been preserved. Finally, we saw the crown jewels, including the one currently used by the queen. They were magnificent. Unfortunately, we were not able to take pictures inside the exhibits, but I took some outside.

The Tower of London.

Traitor's gate. 

The part of the complex that holds the crown jewels.

Mom and me with the London bridge in the background.

Today, we went to Buckingham Palace and saw the State Rooms. It was very crowded but definitely worth the trip! Each room had beautiful art--paintings, sculpture, porcelain vases, furniture, etc. It is impossible to explain the magnitude, and of course no pictures were allowed on the inside. But here are some of the outside.

Front of the palace.

In the back of the palace.