Travelsleuth's August Diary. The Royal Month

THE ROYAL MONTH

From the second week of August The Royal Family is traditionally based in Scotland, at Balmoral and at Holyroodhouse Palace, Edinburgh. Many Family members stay at Balmoral as guests of The Queen for a summer vacation, and a number may attend the nearby Ballater Highland Games. While this is traditionally a month of rest from duties for The Queen and members of her family, some important engagements are undertaken in Scotland: for instance, the Princess Royal may take the salute at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Elsewhere, the The Duke of Edinburgh may be seen at the annual Cowes Regatta on the Isle of Wight. The Duke, a keen sailor, has a long history of participation at Cowes Week which was traditionally graced with the presence of Royal Yacht Britannia until its controversial decommissioning by Her Majesty's Labour Government.

The late Queen Mother's birthday was on 4th August. For decades, visitors lined the Mall outside her home at Clarence House to wish her Happy Birthday. Other birthdays include that of The Princess Royal (born August I5, 1950).

August 31 marks the anniversary of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales (1997). The occasion is remembered by crowds who come to pay their tribute to her memory outside the imposing black and gold wrought iron gates of Kensington Palace each year. They leave flowers, personal notes and mementos tied to the gates and stay awhile to talk and reminisce about her life and legacy.

This year they will be discussing the plans for the Diana Memorial which have finally been approved amid considerable controversy over its minimalist design.

Buckingham Palace is closed down as royal residence this month and opened to the public; this year from 5 August - 29 September, when the magnificent State Rooms and garden walk are open each day from 9.30AM, (last entry 4.15PM). For a description of the Travelsleuth's visit to the Palace Gardens last year go to Royal Oasis of Tranquility.

The Queen has made over 76 state visits abroad during her reign. A special exhibition of 200 of the 1,500 state gifts received during these visits has been mounted in the Ball Supper Room adjacent to the magnificent State Ballroom, (created by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1855), for visitors to see. Others are on permanent display at Windsor Castle, Sandringham, Holyroodhouse Palace and the Royal Yacht Britannia now a museum moored in Edinborough. Yet others like the two giant turtles from the Seychelles, giant sloth from Brazil and a crocodile from Gambia, have been presented to the London Zoo for safekeeping rather than being let loose in the Palace garden or lakes! Presents of particular ethnographic interest are on long term loan to the British Museum.

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