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| Humboldt Penguins at Harewood House |
One week has passed and now starting the second week of my long-planned 50th visit to the UK. Today it was a tube stop at Kings Cross where I boarded a train to York, where I changed for Harrogate. Waiting for my arrival were Michael Rhodes and his wife, Alison. Michael publishes the Peerage News blog.
I allowed myself enough time to have a sit-down breakfast in Kings Cross, relaxing and the coffee was good. Checked Smith's for Tatler (none), and then it was time to board the train. The tea lady came by and the couple sitting across from me bought my tea, very nice - and I expect it was due to helping entertain their daughter, approaching toddlerhood. I sad thank you, and what a nice surprise.
About two hours later, the train rolled into Harrogate. where Mike and Alison were waiting for me. Alison was driving and Michael got into the back so I could ride shotgun. We were heading to Harewood House, the home of the Earl of Harewood. The present earl is the grandson of the late Princess Mary (1897-1965), the only daughter of King George and Queen Mary. Lord Harewood is a first cousin once removed of Queen Elizabeth.
This was another beautiful day, with blue skies, puffy clouds, and great company.
I first visited Harewood in sometime in the 1990s and I wanted to go visit again. The house has appeared in several TV and movies, most recently, the first Downtown Abbey movie.
There have been numerous royal exhibits at Harewood. The main exhibit currently on view is called Radical Acts. Interesting, but I would have preferred to see Princess Mary's wedding gown.
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| Henry George Charles Lascelles, 6th Earl of Harewood (1882-1947) married Princess Mary in 1922 |
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| Henry Ulick Lascelles, 5th Earl of Harewood |
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| Princess Mary, the Princess Royal |
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| Lady Florence Bridgeman, wife of the 5th Earl |
Nice to see family photos of the late earl, the present earl, and their families.
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| the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry at Harewood House in 2014 for the start of the Tour de France. The present earl is standing next to Prince Harry. The present Earl (David) and William and Harry are second cousins once removed. |
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| the 6th Earl and his second wife, Patricia. |
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| Princess Mary |
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| Do not sit on this chair |
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| The future 6th earl and his younger brother, the Hon. Gerald Lascelles. the two sons of Princess Mary. First cousins to the present queen |
A Platinum Jubilee celebration
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| Darling Aunt Mary |
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Yummy scone and tea on the terrace at Harewood
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| Humboldt Penguins |
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| Burrowing owl |
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| A snowy owl |
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| Not one of the wildlife -- Michael Rhodes |
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| Synchronized Penguin swimming |
Before heading to the church, one more required stop -- one of the Souvenir Shops, where I bought the guidebooks, a small book on Princess Mary, a fridge magnet, and a key ring, which I will turn into a Christmas ornament.
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| All Saints Church, which is on the Harewood estate |
After exploring the house, gardens, and a part of the estate, we got back into our car and headed to Goldsborough Hall in Knaresborough, a few minutes' drive from Harewood House. Goldsborough Hall used to belong to the Earl of Harewood. The house was the first marital home for Princess Mary and her husband then styled Viscount Lascelles. Their elder son, George, was baptized in the local church.
I will be doing a separate post on Goldsborough Hall after I am done with the vacation posts. We were given a private tour of the inside of Goldsborough Hall, which is now a luxury hotel and a private home.
Final stop: Harrogate, which has few royal connections. Grand Duchess George of Russia (nee Princess Marie of Greece and Denmark) opened several hospitals in Harrogate during the first world war. She was married to Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia. The couple was largely estranged with Marie and their daughters, Princess Nina and Princess Xenia of Russia, stranded in England when the first world war broke out. Marie was the daughter of King George I of the Hellenes and Grand Duchess Olga of Russia. Her brother, Prince Andrew, was the father of Prince Philip. Duke of Edinburgh,
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| a former boarding house, briefly the residence of Princess Alix of Hesse and By Rhine before her marriage to Nicolas II of Russia |
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| Cathcart House |
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| The Alexandra, a pub for Queen Alexandra, consort of Edward VII |
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| Can you spot the mistake? |
We did not have dinner at the Alexandra as Michael recommended the Fat Badger. I chose the Buttermilk chicken with skinny fries and a caesar salad. And a refreshing local ale!
The sweet shop was already closed so I missed a chance to buy a tin of Farrah's of Harrogate toffee. Bummer.
Back to the train station for the train to York with 15 minutes to spare for the train to King's Cross. I checked Smiths' for the July issue of Tatler. Queen is on the cover ... Not giving up.
Michael and I have "known" each other for several years but it was the first time we had met in person.
We had a blast -- as if we had been together for years ... Michael and Alison were great hosts, kind, sweet, and a lot of fun.
Thank you for a superb day!
A recent biography of Princess Mary
This is the book I bought at Harewood. I believe it was published as a companion volume to an exhibit, commemorating the life of the late Princess Royal
