Best known among royal fans as the place where Kate Middleton woke up on the morning she became a duchess, The Goring actually has a royal pedigree that now spans five generations. After it first opened its doors just around the corner from Buckingham Palace in 1910, Queen Mary became a fan, and her daughter-in-law the queen mother was also a regular visitor. The queen mother's favorite dish was the Eggs Drumkilbo (made with lobster) that's still served there today, and The Goring is where she made her final appearance before her passing. The Goring is also said to be the queen's favorite London hotel and is the only one to have a Royal Warrant. Prince Charles's christening cake was made by chefs from the hotel's kitchen, and just last year the queen hosted a Christmas lunch there for her staff — although they were gatecrashed by a drunken stranger who had to be removed.
Bringing the royal connection bang up to date, Kate and her family stayed at the hotel the night before her wedding, staying in the Royal Suite, which was created specially. The suite runs across an entire floor and is hand-furnished with antiques including art deco chandeliers, Georgian glassware, and, in a drawer, the birth certificate of one of Edward VII's children. Walls are lined with the same silk that was used to furnish the Titanic, and there's an oil painting of Queen Victoria (protected behind aircraft glass). Kate has returned to The Goring several times since her wedding, ensuring that the hotel will remain a firm favorite for years to come.
