Awaiting a Very Special “Arrival” at Heathrow

As we wait for word that Kate has gone into labor with the royal heir, several brands and retailers are selling royal baby themed merchandise to the anxious masses. Then, there is Heathrow Airport who will be GIVING away gifts in celebration of the prince or princess’ arrival.

As soon as The Duchess of Cambridge gives birth to the world’s most awaited offspring, the first 1,000 passengers in each terminal at Heathrow will receive complimentary gift boxes including Twining’s tea and Walkers shortbread biscuits and an adorable t-shirt.The team handing them out speak over 40 languages between them, and can even whip out an American accent on request for homesick passengers.

Is there a better welcome to the UK than joining festivities for the Cambridge baby? Other than Prince Harry himself escorting you off the plane, I’m going to go with ‘no.’ This is exactly the type of thing I would have wanted if Kate popped while I was on my 10-hour flight earlier this week! And if you must bid farewell to the UK, you will receive the gifts as well.. but really, why are you leaving?

Heathrow Airport has a long and proud history of honoring the royal family, from slapping a larger-than-life profile of The Queen on a runway to mark the Diamond Jubilee to naming its newest terminal in Her Majesty’s name, this gateway to London takes serious pride in the royal family.

*Heathrow Airport is a client

Heathrow Aiport Honors Queen Elizabeth II With New Terminal

Heathrow Airport announced today it would be honoring Her Majesty by dubbing the its newly renovated terminal, “Terminal 2: The Queen’s Terminal,” scheduled to open June 4, 2014.The naming comes just as Queen Elizabeth II gears up for the official celebration of 88th birthday and just over a week after the 60th anniversary of her coronation.

Credit: Heathrow Airport

Queen Elizabeth II opened Terminal 2, then called the Europa Building, in 1955 just three years after taking the throne. In addition to opening this first passenger terminal, the young monarch opened the Queen’s Building and the airport’s original control tower simultaneously.

Her Majesty visiting the original Terminal 2, Credit: Heathrow Airport

The announcement marks a major milestone for new £2.5 billion Terminal 2, which was closed in 2009 and demolished in 2010, and continues Her Majesty’s long association with the airport.

John Holland-Kaye, Heathrow’s Development Director, said:

“Queen Elizabeth II opened the original Terminal 2 more than half a century ago and we’re delighted that Her Majesty has kindly agreed to give her name to the new Terminal 2. Everyone at Heathrow is extremely proud of our long association with the Queen and we know the new Terminal 2 will be a fitting continuation of that tradition.”

Terminal 2 will be home to the Star Alliance airlines, so there’s a fairly good chance you will make your way through on your next trip to London – the inaugural landing at the new terminal will be a United Airlines flight from Chicago.

Credit: Heathrow Airport

*Disclosure: Heathrow Airport is a client

Throwback Thursday: Mind the Gap!

Throwing it back across the decades this week in celebration of the London Underground’s 150th anniversary. To mark the momentous occasion, Queen Elizabeth II, The Duke of Edinburgh and The Duchess of Cambridge visited the Baker Street station yesterday as some of the best dressed passengers in the Tube’s history.

AP

Her Majesty was looking well at her first major public engagement since her hospital stay for gastroenteritis, weaering a lovely tweed Karl Ludwig coat, although I do wish she was in a brighter hue- may have added some color to her cheeks! I am beyond obsessed with Kate’s Malene Birger coat – I do love a royal in some sparkle!

PA

This was not The Queen and Prince Philips’ first venture below the bustling streets of London – the royal couple have hopped on the Tube before, including the Victoria line in 1966 and Heathrow Airport in 1977.

The Victoria Line, 1966 – via The British Monarchy

Heathrow Airport, 1977 – via The British Monarchy

Kate confessed to frequenting the public transport system B.D. – before duchess, although this is the first time she took to the tube with this adorable accessory..

AP

A baby never forgets its first ride on the Tube! Okay, maybe they do..

Happy 150th Anniversary to the London Underground!

 

London 2012 Takes Flight at Heathrow Airport

Just over a week to go until The Opening Ceremonies of the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games and the athletes are starting to trickle into the host city, making themselves at home in the Olympic Village, which opened today. What many of you may not realize is that the athletes’ journey does not begin when they check into the village, but when they step off the plane at Heathrow Airport.

As 80% of Olympic passengers begin to make their way through Heathrow over the next couple of weeks, the airport was expected to welcome record passengers  from more than 50 countries on this first big day of arrivals, smashing a previous record from last summer.

What else is Heathrow expecting throughout the Games? Take a look at some staggering stats..

Not Usain Bolt or Serena Williams? No worries..you can still travel like an Olympian and arrive looking as gorgeous as Ryan Lochte..

Lucky enough to be traveling to London for the Games? (ps – i hate you. kidding, kind of..). Make sure to keep your eyes out for the “purple people” volunteer team who can help get you on your way. You don’t want to be late snagging a seat next to Prince Harry at the volleyball match, do you?

Since I am obsessed with the Olympics, you will be seeing a lote more posts like this in the coming days and weeks!

Disclosure: Heathrow Airport is a client. All graphics and facts courtesy of BAA.

I Can’t Wait for London 2012

There is less than a month to go until the opening ceremony for London 2012 – and I cannot wait! I’ve always been a huge fan of the Summer Olympics and the fact that the Games are taking place in London this year.. I’ll be glued to the 3,500 hours of online coverage.

So, why am I so excited for the Olympics? Here are my top ten reasons why the Summer Olympics will be kick ass..in no particular order.

1. Two Words – Ryan Lochte.

2. That look of pure joy on The Queen’s face that she had throughout the entire Diamond Jubilee and we are sure to see during the opening and closing ceremonies. C’mon, Her Majesty is too adorable when she grins from ear to ear!

3. Two weeks of possible wardrobe heaven from The Duchess of Cambridge – who knows what events she will appear at!

4. If London can do this with the Diamond Jubilee, I can only imagine the spectacle we are in for when the entire world is watching. No one does pomp and pageantry like the British!

5. The slight chance that Usain Bolt will challenge Prince Harry to a do-over. Okay, yes..the chance that will happen is way less than slight.

6. Endless coverage of my favorite city in the world..it’s like a free trip to London from the comfort of my couch.

7. Uniforms. I can’t wait to see how each country’s uniforms, especially after all of the controversy surrounding Team GB’s Stella McCartney kits.

8. Team USA is guaranteed to bring home some serious hardware and well, that makes me proud.

9. Is there anything more exciting than Olympic swimming? Nope. Don’t think so.

10. Call me a dork, but something about the world coming together, despite war, economic bailouts, governments collapsing and all of our problems..that’s pretty special.

Getting into the Diamond Jubilee Spirit

The big weekend is upon us and I could not be more excited! Oh wait, I could..if I were in London instead of in New Jersey, home, sick.

So, while I sit and watch the coverage from across the pond, eating my Fortnum & Mason Diamond Jubilee edition, chocolate dipped biscuits from a tin that plays “God Save the Queen,” I share with you some of my favorite Jubilee inspired campaigns of the week.

Virgin Atlantic’s #UnionJackSquare 

If I were not sick/had my sister’s graduation party to attend, this is where I would be for the Jubilee weekend. Sir Richard Branson and Virgin Atlantic are helping Anglophiles get into the spirit by taking over New York City’s Union Square. Branson initiated a Twitter campaign to get Mayor Mike Bloomberg to rename the famous park to “Union Jack Square” in honor of the British celebrations. The party will go on regardless of the outcome of our pleas – Virgin is going all out to make New Yorkers feel the Union Jack love. From 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Virgin cabin crew and Foot Guards will be on hand to interact with guests and even perform the traditional changing of the guard. Think you have what it takes to make the infamously serious guards laugh? You’ll be entered to win 20 round-trip tickets from New York to London. Bloody brilliant, Branson!

Marriott International – Corgi Cocktail

If you happen to be visiting the right side of the pond on June 4th and staying at a UK Marriott International Hotel, you’re in for a good time! Marriott is offering complimentary “The Corgi” to those named Elizabeth or those born in 1952 – the year Her Majesty ascended to the throne. The unique drink is made from Hendricks gin, elderflower liqueur, blackberries, raspberries, fresh lime and mint and will be served by bartenders in fashion-forward Union Jack garb. Not named Elizabeth or born in 1952? The drink can be purchased for  £7.50. Bottoms up, Brits!

Red, White..and Tower Bridge!

Press Association, Daily Mail

 One of London’s most iconic landmarks is all lit up for Her Majesty’s big party in red, white and blue. The Tower Bridge, decked with 3,800 LED lights, will glow a diamond white for the celebrations, including the pageant on the River Thames on Sunday. Absolutely stunning!

And if you haven’t seen Heathrow Airport’s Royal Runway yet..check out my post from last week! It’s absolutely amazing.

Happy Celebrating!

Heathrow Airport Unveils Royal Runway

I’ve saved the first post with the brand new blog header for something special – something that brings together my real-life work and my royal watching work. This morning, Heathrow Airport unveiled a Royal Runway in honor of Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

A larger-than-life Union Jack flag with an image of Her Majesty was laid out on Heathrow’s runway to welcome the world to London for the big celebration. Measuring at 540 square meters and 30 meters in length (that’s 10 meters taller than Buckingham Palace), the flag has been positioned so flyers will see it immediately upon descending into Heathrow. Travelers inside the airport will have a perfect view of The Queen’s profile from inside the terminals.

In the coming hours, days and week 780,000 visitors are expected to arrive at Heathrow to take part in the special occassion.. I wish I were one of them!

Want to see a time lapse video of the flag’s creation? Of course you do!

Check it out here.

 

*Disclosure – Heathrow Airport is a client.

*All photo credit to BAA.