Queen Elizabeth becomes longest reigning monarch in England: We celebrated with a visit to her home and a cup of tea!

Buckingham Palace selfie. This is the home of QE II, now longest reining monarch of England

Today marks the day Queen Elizabeth II becomes the longest reigning monarch, surpassing the record of her great, great grandmother, Queen Victoria.  Of course, the Gulleys were at Queen Elizabeth's home, Buckingham Palace last week to pay our regards a few days early.

Hampton Court, home of Tudors, Stuarts, William & Mary,and a few Georges - none who ruled as long as QE II

A little over a week ago, we left Detroit for a week across the pond for adventures in an Anglophile's Disneyland. We visited two palaces (aforesaid Buckingham and Hampton Court), Highclere Castle (of Downton Abbey fame), several museums and two more tea rooms to check off my wishlist: Claridge's and The Wolseley.  Of course, the trip was heightened by the news of the upcoming record- breaking event for the Queen.

Although Queen Elizabeth was not in residence while we were at the palace, we did get to tour the staterooms of Buckingham and experience the grandeur and opulence like any other special guest.

Exploring Royal Teatime in Buckingham Palace reaps great rewards

We also spent a good deal of our time in the Buckingham Palace gift store.  My favorite spot was the tea accessories area where I picked up a royal teapot Christmas tree ornament and a tin of Buckingham Palace tea.

Commemorative mug with Hampton Court and Buckingham Palace teas

Even better, Rachel purchased a commemorative mug which notes inside the rim, "H.M. Queen Elizabeth II, our longest reigning  monarch" and lists all other kings and queens of England on the front.

Cheers to this record day. Gulleys were there to celebrate a week early!

In celebration of the big event, I think we will combine our bounty tonight by brewing a pot of Buckingham Palace tea and serving it in the mug along with a fine English bone china tea cup.

                                                                           Cheers!