So, we saw the King of England today. Yes, you heard that correctly. While visiting Windsor Castle, the oldest castle continuously occupied by royalty in Europe, we were treated to a once-in-a-lifetime sight: King Charles blessing the new regimental colors for the Irish Foot Regiment. We had a fence-front view of the preparations and the military ceremony. The pageantry began with the entrance of the Irish regiment, lead by Seamus the Irish wolfhound. The regimental band played and the soldiers paraded. After the previous colors were retired and the new colors presented, King Charles came to preside over the blessing of the new regimental flags. In addition to seeing the King, we got to tour the ornate State Apartments and St. George’s chapel where Queen Elizabeth II is buried.
After lunch at Windsor Royal Shopping, we headed into London for a guided tour, busing and walking. Driving through the City of Westminster, we saw Piccadilly Circus with its large screens and iconic fountain and the statue Horatio Nelson surrounded by memorable lions in Trafalgar Square. Afoot, students captured Big Ben, Parliament, the wartime government offices, and of course, Buckingham Palace through pictures.
Dinner was chicken schnitzel, fries, salad, and cobbler with ice cream at The Crown and Two Chairmen in SoHo. Then it was off to the Bridge Theater (next to the Tower Bridge) to see a production of Guys and Dolls that left us speechless. With an audience surrounding the stage in both the seats and on the floor, the performance constantly moved with rising and descending stages, interactive audience members, electric choreography, and flawless vocals. It truly was an experience of a lifetime.
The night was capped off with the lights of the Tower Bridge, Big Ben, and London Eye. One picture showcases the fans of Ohio State.
But can we say again, WE SAW THE KING OF ENGLAND!