I visited Queen Elizabeth's favorite places in London, and it helped me feel closer to the late monarch

Mikhaila FrielOct 1, 2022, 15:46 IST

Mikhaila Friel, left, at The Goring hotel in June 2022, and Queen Elizabeth II, right, leaving The Goring in December 2018.Mikhaila Friel/Insider, Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

I visited London in June for Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
I got to visit the Queen's favorite London hotspots, including The Goring hotel.

Back in June, I traveled to London from my home in Glasgow, Scotland, for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations. It was the only time I would ever see the Queen in real life before her death.

An arrow shows where Queen Elizabeth stood next to the royal family at Buckingham Palace.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

Back in June, I traveled to London from my home in Glasgow, Scotland, for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations. It was the only time I would ever see the Queen in real life before her death.

While in London, I visited some of the Queen's favorite hotspots.

Mikhaila at Trooping the Colour on the Buckingham Palace Mall.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

I kicked off my trip with an overnight stay at The Rubens at the Palace hotel, which used to be part of Buckingham Palace.

The exterior of The Rubens at the Palace.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

I stayed in the Royal Themed Queen Room.

Mikhaila Friel at The Rubens at the Palace hotel.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

My room overlooked Buckingham Palace's Royal Mews.

The view of the Buckingham Palace Royal Mews in my room at The Rubens.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

After checking into the hotel, I grabbed dinner at one of the Queen's favorite restaurants, Bellamy's.

The exterior of Bellamy's in London.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

The interior was cozy and there was dim lighting, making it the ideal place for royals and celebrities to go incognito.

The interior of Bellamy's.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

I had the avocado vinaigrette to start, which cost £9.50, or around $10.25.

The avocado vinaigrette at Bellamy's.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

I enjoyed the smoked eel mousse, which was said to have been previously ordered by the Queen.

The smoked eel mousse.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

Upon leaving the restaurant, I noticed a photograph of the Queen visiting Bellamy's in 2006.

A photo of Queen Elizabeth visiting Bellamy's in 2006.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

Later that weekend, I had cocktails at The Goring, which is said to be a favorite of the Queen and Kate Middleton.

The entrance of The Goring hotel had signage reading "thank you Your Majesty" for the Queen's Jubilee in June.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

I was given a seat at the bar right away, even though I wasn't staying at the hotel.

The interior of the bar area at The Goring.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

Even the bathroom was decorated elegantly.

The ladies' bathroom in The Goring.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

As I waited for a friend to arrive, I ordered a royal-themed cocktail called The Coronation Cup.

The Coronation Cup cocktail at The Goring.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

When my friend arrived, we were asked to move to a table at the back of the room because they said he hadn't followed the dress code.

Mikhaila's friend, Pat, in The Goring bar.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

Pat soon forgot about the dress code mishap after ordering a Victory Tea.

The Victory Tea.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

On the final day of my visit, I went to Fortnum & Mason, one of the Queen's favorite stores in London.

The Fortnum & Mason entrance.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

Inside, the store had several decorations that referenced the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

The interior of Fortnum & Mason.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

The store is well known for its tea, and there was a Jubilee tea collection in honor of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

Fortnum & Mason's Jubilee products.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

Even when not celebrating a Jubilee, the store has plenty of royal-themed products.

The Royal Blend tea in Fortnum & Mason.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

I enjoyed browsing the store's products even though it was extremely busy.

Chocolate products in Fortnum & Mason.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

Looking back, I'm thankful I got to visit the Queen's favorite places as it helped me feel a stronger connection to the monarch.

Queen Elizabeth II at her Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022.Chris Jackson/Getty Images

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I visited Queen Elizabeth's favorite places in London, and it helped me feel closer to the late monarch

Back in June, I traveled to London from my home in Glasgow, Scotland, for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations. It was the only time I would ever see the Queen in real life before her death.

While in London, I visited some of the Queen's favorite hotspots.

I kicked off my trip with an overnight stay at The Rubens at the Palace hotel, which used to be part of Buckingham Palace.

I stayed in the Royal Themed Queen Room.

My room overlooked Buckingham Palace's Royal Mews.

After checking into the hotel, I grabbed dinner at one of the Queen's favorite restaurants, Bellamy's.

The interior was cozy and there was dim lighting, making it the ideal place for royals and celebrities to go incognito.

I had the avocado vinaigrette to start, which cost £9.50, or around $10.25.

I enjoyed the smoked eel mousse, which was said to have been previously ordered by the Queen.

Upon leaving the restaurant, I noticed a photograph of the Queen visiting Bellamy's in 2006.

Later that weekend, I had cocktails at The Goring, which is said to be a favorite of the Queen and Kate Middleton.

I was given a seat at the bar right away, even though I wasn't staying at the hotel.

Even the bathroom was decorated elegantly.

As I waited for a friend to arrive, I ordered a royal-themed cocktail called The Coronation Cup.

When my friend arrived, we were asked to move to a table at the back of the room because they said he hadn't followed the dress code.

Pat soon forgot about the dress code mishap after ordering a Victory Tea.

On the final day of my visit, I went to Fortnum & Mason, one of the Queen's favorite stores in London.

Inside, the store had several decorations that referenced the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

The store is well known for its tea, and there was a Jubilee tea collection in honor of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

Even when not celebrating a Jubilee, the store has plenty of royal-themed products.

I enjoyed browsing the store's products even though it was extremely busy.

Looking back, I'm thankful I got to visit the Queen's favorite places as it helped me feel a stronger connection to the monarch.