#whitehall

Photo credit: Jonathan Chua.

Before its recent conversion into a posh hotel, this was apparently the Old War Office Building (also known as The OWO) located on Whitehall near Westminster.

I had some free time so I did the Rick Steve's Westminster walk, which takes you from the center of Westminster Bridge, up Whitehall, to Trafalgar Square and he narrates everything you see. Here are some photos from the walk.

This is Whitehall - the Cenotaph and the balconies the royal women and Tim stand on.

On this particular day, there was a planned protest/march for peace for Gaza so much more security around the Cenotaph than there usually is. It was also Mandela Day, and Trafalgar Square was blocked off for concerts. It was pretty neat to watch.

Anyway, another photo of the Cenotaph.

And the opposite side, aka "Kate's view".

You can see they've left the wreaths from last Remembrance Day. I would've gotten closer to look at them (like you can at the Memorial Gates in Green Park) but there was so much police I kept walking.

And walked right past 10 Downing Street, where final preparations were underway for the new PM to arrive in two days' time.

No Larry. 😢

My favorite of the memorials and monuments along Whitehall. This commemorates the women of World War Two by displaying the uniforms and outfits women would have worn 1939 - 1944 as if they were on a closet rack. Very touching.

This is the Banqueting House. Charles II was executed on the middle balcony on the first floor.

The mounted horse guards, guarding the ceremonial entrance to St. James's Park and Buckingham Palace. You can go inside - I paused Rick Steve and went to look.

There are two guards, one on either side of the gate. The horse on the left side was quite agitated - the peace rally was blasting loud music. It took some time for the rider and his handlers to get the horse under control, and then both guards ended up leaving.

We're all royal fans here - this is the archway the family passes under en route to Westminster Abbey. There is a door in this tunnel -- I believe the royals use this door to enter the building to go to the rooms to watch Trooping.

A look at the ceiling.

Anyway, passing through the passageway, this is what you see, left to right. They are "cleaning up" from the Beating Retreat.

An info sign about the King's Guard.

Original headquarters for Scotland Yard.

View of the Banqueting House, Whitehall

Artist: Antonio Visentini (Italian, 1688-1782)

Date: 1746

Medium: Oil on canvas