The royal honeymoon

Honeymoon Aston

So far the royal newlyweds have only managed a short weekend away, but have plans for a longer break. Jordan, the Seychelles, Mustique and Australia have all been floated as possibilities, but the eventual decision will no doubt remain under wraps for as long as possible to give them some privacy.

Honeymoon Aston

In the meantime, they were flown away from London the day after the wedding by helicopter to a secret location somewhere in Britain, for a quiet weekend together. They have not yet revealed where that was, but possibilities include Balmoral, the royal estate in Scotland, and the Isles of Scilly.

They are not the first royals to have recognized the potential delights of honeymooning within the British Isles. Queen Victoria spent her brief honeymoon with Prince Albert at Windsor Castle, while the Queen Mother and King George VI (then the Duke and Duchess of York) attended a house party at Polesden Lacey in Surrey, given by the society hostess Mrs Ronald Greville.

More recently, the Queen and Prince Philip honeymooned at the stunning Mountbatten estate of Broadlands, near Romsey in Hampshire, before moving north to spent time on their own Balmoral estate – and a similar trip was taken by Prince Charles and Diana following their wedding too.

The truth is, Britain has a wealth of romantic destinations – and in our next issue we’ll be looking at a number of spots that would make memorable places to stay whether for a honeymoon or just a quiet, beautiful getaway.