During Queen Victoria’s reign, from June 20, 1837, to her death on January 22, 1901, the British Empire underwent unprecedented expansion and prosperity.
When Karl started his travels in 1899, the British Empire was a vast network of territories and colonies covering a quarter of the Earth’s land surface, including the Dominion of Canada, Australia, Sri Lanka, India, Egypt, and parts of Europe. He wrote to the British consuls at most foreign countries he expected to visit and received cordial invitations to see them en route.
While Karl was travelling through India, Queen Victoria died on the Isle of Wight after a 64-year reign, the longest in British history at the time. She was succeeded by her son, Edward VII, who began the transition to the Edwardian era.
Four months later, Karl arrived in England on April 27, 1901.
London was the capital of the Empire. In 1900, one out of five Britons lived in London. When Karl visited, the population had exploded from a million in 1800 to over five million in 1900. London was a melting pot of contrasts, where the grandeur of landmarks constructed under Queen Victoria’s reign — Ben Ben, Houses of Parliament, Royal Albert Hall, and Tower Bridge coexisted with the grit of crowded streets and the daily chore of cleaning up after 300,000 horses! Despite its challenges, London exuded an undeniable charm, epitomizing the essence of the Victorian Era.
Karl's time in London was brief, a glimpse into the city's rich tapestry. His whirlwind tour was chronicled in the Truro news: “..a couple of days had to suffice — with just a glance at Tower Bridge, London Tower, Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament, Bank of England, etc., etc., all of which were extremely interesting.”
Dear reader, I’m unsure if a few days will suffice in London. I’ve had the good fortune of visiting London several times and have experienced it differently depending on when I visited and where I chose to explore. Each visit has left a mark on my memory, from childhood adventures to recent escapades. London, for me, is more than just a city; it's a living narrative waiting to be explored and savoured at every turn.
Fond memories vary from my first visit, around age eight, when I had a pink sweater-wearing monkey on my shoulder, to exploring the city when I was 19, when it was the departure point for a Contiki trip through Europe, to my most recent visit for Karl’s journey, when I absorbed the city skyline while sipping champagne for a milestone birthday on the London Eye.
For this chronicle, dear reader, please find some of my favourite images in London from my latest visit.
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