The year 2022 marks a milestone moment in British history, as The Queen becomes the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee. This spectacular anniversary marks 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. As a result, the UK is brimming with pride, adorned in fluttering flags and memorabilia. Here are four ways you can soak up the atmosphere.

Browse Kensington Palace’s rare photography collection

Life through a Royal Lens at Kensington Palace (to 30th October 2022) explores a longstanding relationship between the royal family, the invention of the camera and how photographers have documented royal life. Spanning the 19th century until present day, the photographs depict some of The Queen’s most iconic moments, Victoria and Prince Albert’s patronage of photography during its infancy and intimate portraits taken by members of the family. Look out for works by renowned photographers including Rankin, Annie Leibovitz and Norman Parkinson. The exhibition will also debut an unseen image of Diana, Princess of Wales by David Bailey.

Kensington Palace, Kensington Gardens, W8 4PX

Ride through a Royal Park on horseback

Just a 10-minute stroll up from Jumeirah Carlton Tower and Jumeirah Lowndes off Sloane Street, the Grade I-listed Hyde Park is the most prominent of London’s Royal Parks. Once a hunting ground for King Henry VIII, it now spans the heart of the capital and is one of the city's most important green lungs, stretching 350 acres from Knightsbridge to Notting Hill and Kensington to Mayfair. Adults and children can trot through the park atop one of Hyde Park Stables’ friendly horses; Ronnie, Popcorn, Teddy and Ben.

Hyde Park, W2 2UH

Enjoy Afternoon Tea with a botanical twist

The scent of freshly baked pastries wafts through our hallways at Jumeirah Carlton Tower thanks to Pastry Chef Jessica Préalpato, voted the World’s Best Pastry Chef in 2019 and Pastry Chef of the Year in 2020 by renowned French restaurant guide Gault & Millau. We are delighted to host Jessica’s debut project in London, a unique Afternoon Tea rooted in the concept of desseralité – a portmanteau of dessert and naturalité (naturalness). The Afternoon Tea will be a permanent experience available to book in The Chinoiserie, accompanied by speciality teas and optional Champagne. It comes with two complimentary tickets to Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew to celebrate The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Working with seasonal produce, Jessica’s new menu celebrates English ingredients in a tribute to Kew Gardens and our natural world. You’ll begin with a duck egg and black truffle croissant and Forman & Field smoked salmon with pickled shallots and wild garlic crème fraîche. You can also try a dried nettle scone with strawberry marmalade and a charcoal scone with rosemary wood-smoked mascarpone. Got a sweet tooth? Then you can look forward to peanut Breton shortbread, a rhubarb shortbread pastry with fennel and ginger marmalade, and poached rhubarb in a ginger beer reduction scattered with caramelised fennel seeds.

Jumeirah Carlton Tower, 1 Cadogan Place, SW1X 9PY

Pamper yourselves in the Royal Suite

Soaring above one of London’s most stylish neighbourhoods, Knightsbridge, our Royal Suite is our grandest suite, comprising two areas for entertaining, a guest bathroom and a bedroom with a walk-in wardrobe. A balcony offers spectacular views across leafy Cadogan Gardens and beyond, across London’s rooftops. The oversized bathroom features a spacious walk-in shower and Jacuzzi, which is perfect for unwinding with our complimentary anti-aging skincare products from Grown Alchemist. During your stay, you’ll also enjoy complimentary access to The Peak Fitness Club and Spa, including our indoor swimming pool, sauna and steam room.

Jumeirah Carlton Tower, 1 Cadogan Place, SW1X 9PY

Experience London like a royal this summer, with a stay in our Royal Suite at Jumeirah Carlton Tower.