Visited Buckingham Palace & Regretted It
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- čas přidán 4. 09. 2023
- Yesterday, my wife and I toured Buckingham Palace. The opinions expressed in this video are my own and based on my 'interesting' experiences there.
Dr. Mark Felton FRHistS, FRSA, is a well-known British historian, the author of 22 non-fiction books, including bestsellers 'Zero Night' and 'Castle of the Eagles', both currently being developed into movies in Hollywood. In addition to writing, Mark also appears regularly in television documentaries around the world, including on The History Channel, Netflix, National Geographic, Quest, American Heroes Channel and RMC Decouverte. His books have formed the background to several TV and radio documentaries. More information about Mark can be found at: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Fe...
Visit my audio book channel 'War Stories with Mark Felton': • One Thousand Miles to ...
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Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Mark Felton Productions. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Mark Felton Productions does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.
Credits: Jimmy Harris; Vidkur; Tony Webster; G. Lanting.
Mark Felton the normally impartial and accurate historian goes on a rant. Unexpected and funny. 5 stars
British & human all in one package.
What a concept!
If you ever make it over to the colonies ( Canada) you can come and visit my lawn for free.
@@luckyguy600Do you have a monumental statue of a dog Turd to impress the visitor?
Eh I give it 3.5 nazis out 5… ( ͡- ͜ʖ ͡-)
Dude was just being impartial and accurate. It’s what he does best.
But what a dignified rant it was.
"customer skills of the gestapo" 😂
Water boarding not included on regular tour, it’s extra.
A few years ago we went on a cruise. I strongly suspect that the dining room staff had been East German border guards.
@@gordonbergslien30 Or former Stasi. They had to look for another job too.
@@xairman565 don't kink shame, some ppl pay good money for that.
Tickets (Papers) please!
Mark Felton being sassy for 8 minutes was not the delight I thought I needed today, but I certainly love it.
He tbh is spot on...
Ex Guardsman here, 22 years service. I fully understand your feelings Mark, thats why ive never taken the tour myself, kniwing well how the household operates!
And the sad thing is, they would probably treat you with the same contempt as all the tourists.
@@benfletcher9659 Indeed they would Ben.
@@michealrcnicholson9342Are you now a anti monarchist?
@@benfletcher9659 Absolutely not Ben. As loyal as the day is long. Thays not to say I love the Royal family like a lemming, but I do love my country, its people and its history warts and all. Its the same flr me as loving your family of which some relationships within can be strained. We always hope we can improve upon suvh things, but we should never wish them away.
@@michealrcnicholson9342 I like your philosophy. We need more of it here in the States. A LOT more.
"Having a face of a smacked ass and the customer service skills of the Gestapo" I died 😂
-Dr. Mark Felton
“Arse”
PRICELESS! 🤣
@@funlifebananas1061 You knew what they meant, right?
@@martinc.720 not the point! 🤣
😂😂😂indeed
“My disappointment is immeasurable and my day is ruined” -Mark Felton
Giving review brah a run for his money
"Sort of what I imagined Liberace's house looked like" - although photos were forbidden, the picture this phrase painted is priceless! Thank you for such a terrific review!
Customer service skills of the gestapo is absolutely a line I’m going to steal. Brilliant video
I've never laughed so much in a Mark Felton video 😂
SAME HERE !!!!!!!!
dr felton reinstilles the idea that there is a upside 2 humanity
For me, this video beat out "The Downing Street Cats" for laughs per minute. Both are great.
He's trolling us here surely? 😂😂
That was a very amusing video for sure. I guess you never know unless you go.
"Out the exit pour large numbers of newly converted British Republicans and bemused Americans thanking their lucky stars for 1776."
Freaking hilarious 😂
That one had me laughing!!
Yes this is the best video he ever made.
No rest rooms. They can't stand the smell of the working man when he goes poo.
What a review. I never thought Dr. Felton would make me chuckle with remarks like "Faces like slapped Arses", customer service worthy of the Gestapo, etc. Brilliant. I hope Dr. Felton can do some more reviews with this blatant, no punches pulled stark reality approach.
Means they are red in the face from being uptight! I chuckled hard too! 😂🤭
love that expression!😂
It was quite hilarious 😂
I took my mother on the tour - she's 86 and the staff absolutely couldn't have been kinder to her. One even asked if she'd like to sit down and they offered to bring a chair. She already knew about the lack of washrooms (she has a bladder condition too, so always checks in advance) but was fine on the day and really enjoyed her visit. I guess everyone gets a different experience but the staff when we visited were polite and kind. There was certainly a nice atmosphere throughout.
Funnily enough I had a similar experience some years ago. I thought the staff were great, although I assumed they were young friendly uni students dressed in nice uniforms to help out with the crowds at Buckingham Palace over the summer break.
I too have had a good experience, visiting the Palace, twice as I took advantage of the one year re-entry pass. Most of the staff were perfectly nice, some were a little bored, but none were rude.
It was certainly less crowded than many high-profile art exhibitions I’ve visited, and I had no difficulty looking at paintings or artefacts up close.
As for the lack of toilets the plumbing (and electrics) are notoriously bad in the Palace (which is why it’s going through a multi-million Pound upgrade), and I imagine it’s very difficult to retrofit toilets and even more so the plumbing, to cater for that many people in a listed building.
Nothing short of brilliant. "If having a face like a smacked ass and the customer service skills of the Gestapo are prerequisites for employment, the Palace has certainly met its recruitment goals." That alone gets you into the reviewer hall of fame, Dr Felton.
Yes mate that got me too 😂😂😂😂
That's "smacked Arse" I'll have you know!
Oh dear, you said “ass”, a type of donkey I believe. The colonial royal pronunciation of such a donkey (or your posterior) is ARSE!
Considering 2 months old Felton docu about Ukrainian SS in Britian, requires like that aren't inpossible to achieve.
He said arse, not ass!
“…America tourists, thanking their lucky stars for 1776…” 😂😂😂😂 Priceless!
He knows what he’s talking about. 😂
All thirteen lucky stars of 1776
But modern Americans have spat in the face of those Patriots in 1776 by gagging all over the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Can’t wait for the next little Prince and Princess to make their debut into American society 🤣🤣🤣
@@tedda6171 I don’t know where you get that idea. It seems to me that Megs and the Ginger Whinger are getting a massive cold shoulder, even from the Hollywood crowd that they presumably thought would worship them., When the Spotify President publicly calls them “fucking grifters” it does not sound like he is their greatest fan. Allegedly, even Oprah does not return their calls - can’t guarantee that to be the case, but those “in the know” say Oprah thinks they used her (btw, I am no fan of Oprah either, myself). And, somebody (can’t remember who) is using FOIA to see if Hawwy lied on his visa application to get his whining ass deported.
I wouldn't laugh to long, you have Joe Biden and the most corrupt and wicked deep state in the World.
Not only does Dr.Mark Felton enlighten us with wisdom, however he now saves us money too!
The brilliance of Mark Felton as a historian is well known. Now we may add comedian and biting satirist to his resume as well. This piece was worthy of The Onion. Great stuff!
"But if having the face of a smacked-ass and the customer service skills of the Gestapo are the prerequisites for employment, the palace has certainly met its recruitment goals".
I think that is now officially the greatest burn in history. Dr. Felton, please tell me you wrote that in a Yelp review.
I think that as a senior, I would have nonchalantly peed in a corner, if only to mark my tax $.
Wow. That is a *savage* burn!
The king could possibly get his gestapo onto him.. only person on the planet that can get away with murder legally.
I had to listen to that 3 times to be sure I heard it right.
Legend.
@deftone1 wait, he can? Sovereign immunity for heads of state *is* a thing under international law, but it generally *only* covers the stuff you do *as* head of state.
The script is hilarious. In my mind, I can see John Cleese stating the silly rules, marshalling the visitors from room to room and berating them for any perceived non-compliance. True Monty Python material.
don't forget the silly walks
Now THAT would be a tour worth taking!
The Fawlty towers expirience, lol
I don't think the palace could accommodate the volume of patrons if it had a Monty Python style tour.
Tourists backpack knocks over a priceless vase, "this but a chip". Then there is the possible hilarity when, after pointing out 20 times there are no public lavatories in the palace, guests continually demand the lavatory for an emergency. Vases, closets, windows etc.
I immediately thought of Basil Fawlty as these attendants in some farce...
That was one wonderful and entertaining rant. You just saved me some future irritation, because Buckingham Palace was one my "visit eventually" list. Thank you very much, Mark Felton!
Skip it unless you go on one of the special tours! It's gotten bad!
This was the most elegant and most British roast I have ever heard of a royal sightseeing 😂😂😂
Edit: Please don't hold back your feelings and thoughts, tell us how you *really* felt.. 😂
Ladies and gentlemen,Dr. Mark Felton, world class historian and part time stand up comedian. The English "dry wit" is on full display in this episode. Well done Mark! Many thanks.
British humour at its best! Feels like I read Mark Twain or summat..lol
Dr Felton and wife got the deluxe "peasant" experience! This post was a masterclass in the highly developed British art of sarcasm. Well done!
Dr. Mrs. Felton*
@michaelbread5906 Dr. and Mrs. Felton.
Well done, indeed! I almost swallowed my tongue with laughter.
I love your dry, impartial, fact based videos but I think every now and then a brilliant rant like this one is perfect
"...and the customer service skills of the Gestapo...". Hahahaha. That was funny and illustrative. Mark, you were kindly cross.
Dr. Felton displays his thorough grasp of that famous British sense of humour. I don't think I"ve ever had as many laughs watching one of his videos. 🤣
To be fair, there isn't much to laugh about in regards to WW 2. 🙂
I think Mark is turning into a Republican or worse still a commie, LOL.
Mark sounds just like Napoleon Blownapart in this one. Reminds me of what someone like George Carlin would say too.
Is his wife Asian?
I understand now why the Spare and "Spare-ress" took leave for Canada!
You bit the bullet and took one for the team, Mark. Your sacrifice won't be soon forgotten 🍁
@robbpowell. Rob, that is exactly what I was thinking. Mark has some adventures, but hopefully not another one like that. It was a sacrifice indeed.
Yep, noted!
I won’t be surprised if this video becomes the channels most watched video.
He will be on Xanax from this point on
Go Mark! After watching many of your videos over the past few years I certainly was surprised by this one. Well done!
I was a student in London back in 87-89 and have been back to Britain to visit more times than I’ve had a warm meal. I take different family and friends on their holidays around the country showing them the many cultural and historic sites in my adopted home town. One place I can’t seem bring myself to go visit is the Buckingham Palace tour. I’ve had an uncomfortable feeling it would be exactly as Mark described. Thank you Mark for saving me from the Royal Tour from Hell. I’ll spend my £30 on a nice vindaloo instead. Cheers! Love the channel❤
This needs to be a new series. This was absolute gold I never thought I'd hear you utter the word 'arse' in my life.
Marks attention to descriptive accuracy is legendary
Oh heavens yes. Loved the bit about Anthony Blunt. With Mark's background we'd get all the good bits.
He's a Brit!
Now if we could get you to never utter another word...EVER.
What time was that at?
As a Yank who served as the Assistant US Army Attaché in our Embassy London 1997-2000, I can attest the best day my wife and kids had was NOT at Buckingham Palace, but Blenheim Palace outside of London. The birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, the palace is gorgeous and we spent the day picnicking in the fields, where sheep grazed, and there were ponds and a small train we could ride around the estate. And of course an English maze that was easy to get lost in. No big crowds, not as many tourists, it made for a relaxing and lovely day. I’ll never forget it.
How charming. I grew up about 4 miles from Woodstock and Blenheim Palace was always my favourite place to visit as a boy. I'm happy to know it's still got that magic today
Agreed! I was there with friends in 2018 and we loved everything about it.
Glamis Castle (birthplace of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother) is also well worth a visit. Lovely people in Scotland.
Blenheim; Chatsworth and Longleat are well worth it, as is the house in Port Lympne zoo (Folkestone) which was an officer's mess during the battle of Britain.
That sounds wonderful!!
That was so well written 😂 They should have been honored to have YOU as a guest. Please more content like this!!
they're too arrogant for that, however, indeed.
Wonderful! Made me laugh out loud. NO ONE could have said it better.
I've never wanted to be a big youtuber until I watched this video and realised how Mark's hardwork gave him an audience of millions to leave a scathing and wonderful review. 10/10
The wit of Mark's humor always gets a genuine audible laugh out of me.
Davey, Mark is a wonderful commentator
The irony of the Liberace reference was painfully on-point. Thanks, Mark, you've saved me thirty quid.
(Wiping tears from my eyes...)
I laughed out loud and startled my cat!. I always liked Liberace, his tongue was firmly in cheek and being ostentatious is what Vegas is all about. So I just go there if I want it. In London I'll save the thirty quid for a pub tour
And, the good doctor saved me a trip from California. 🙂Seriously, though, the UK, and London specifically, is on my bucket list and it's good know that I can skip this tour and waste that money on something else. It sounds even worse that the tour of the Denver Mint my wife and I did about 15 years ago. Government employees almost always make terrible tour guides.
@@skysurfer5cva Check out the museums and galleries, most of which are free, except a few special exhibitions. Everything else in London is mega expensive. You need to remortgage your house for a coffee. However there is absolutely loads to do and see.
Also it's important to remember London isn't Britain or even England. There are loads of great places outside London, the people are friendlier and the prices much cheaper, especially the further North you go.
That's saved us a trip. Helpful. Thank you
Mark not only runs the absolute best WWII history channel on YT, he also saves us money!
A excellent one-two punch.😁
I've visited hundreds of museums around the world and often found that the more popular it was, the worse the experience. Some of the best museums I've come across were 100% free, and yet virtually empty of crowds. Donations were accepted if you felt the desire to help them out. It is almost as if people think the free museum has nothing to offer, when in fact, they may have the most to offer the visitor because they love what they are doing for public education. Also photography encouraged to your heart's content. Staff were friendly and quick to point out things you may have overlooked. I now usually avoid museums where you need to wait in line to enter. Life is too short for that.
It should be noted that paid museums tend to aim for wealthy tourists who are generally ignorant and more willing to accept anything as service as long as they get to see what they paid for. Perhaps more so in the social media obsessed world where everyone just wants a picture/selfie to attach to their "online personality."
This has also been my experience.
Best free museum in London I have been to is the Natural History Museum, it was absolutely fantastic. Worst, Tussauds. We had some ticket deal, but had to queue up to get in, and it was a long queue. I was shocked how much tickets were on the door, I wouldn't have paid that. I guess the queuing thing was a ruse, if they make you wait in line for 45 mins you might not cut your losses and walk away when you finally see the price.
I don't know, my opinion is mixed. Some museums are absolutely worth it even if you have to pay a bunch, the Louvre is really that impressive (minus the Mona Lisa), other places I've found small museums that had nothing noteworthy in and were a waste of time. I generally agree that the more famous the museum is, the more it's *usually* an aggravating hassle. I was similarly grousing about the no photography rule at Neuschwanstein.
All the more reason to travel in the shoulder season or off season. Avoid the crowds, bite the bullet on bad weather (if your trip isn't weather dependent), and you'll feel happier imo.
I agree for the most part as well, though I really like the USS midway museum, the staff are excellent, plentiful, knowledgeable etc etc. In general though some of my best museum experiences have been alone with a single staff member walking me thru an exhibit. Sort of the opposite of what u get at the louvre.
" I paid for a tour of the place with my wife" Outstanding. I didn't know they would accept a wife, but that solves one of my problems and I get a tour of Buckingham Palace as well. Brilliant!
You card 😂
@@samprastherabbit What is a "card" in rebellious English?
I had an even bigger laugh on this comment.
Thank you for making me day!
Ha ha ha I wonder what else one could pay for using a wife as currency 😂😂😂
@@Dee-nonamnamrson8718 a card is someone who is clever/funny/naughty
One reason this review resonates so well is that all of us, I suppose, have been through something similar...at home or abroad the feeling is the same. I think they would all prefer that we just drop off our money at the door---better yet, just mail it in, and then deprive them of the pleasure of our presence! Thank you once again Professor!
This was hilarious and made my day! Not that you had a bad time but the hilarious way you explained it. " Bemused Americans thanking their lucky stars for 1776". 😂😂😂😂😂
If he ever gets tired of making history videos he has a great future as a travel blogger 😅
He'd be thrown in the Tower for offending His Majesty's Government...
Now I would enjoy a tour where he snarks for 10 minutes about Charles.
@@largol33t1 Imagine a re-working of his intro video with the same music, but Dr Felton looking out through the iron bars of a window in the tower 🤣
The guy foxes them
What began as a scathing review, quickly evolved into another fabulous war story from Dr. Mark Felton, complete with an incredible tale of human suffering and perseverance. 😂 Bravo! 🙌🤣
very clever!!! Well done!!
They lost a lot of good men on that tour.
Mark plays POW for the day and gives the authorities a piece of his mind. One my favourite Felton videos, and there are a lot to of excellent ones to choose from.
Just as you were making your comment about Americans thanking their lucky stars for 1776, I was scanning the exit sign and read, ironically perhaps, that the palace opened for its "year" on July 14th, Bastille Day! They better be careful what they wish for! ;-)
Great video! You do an excellent review/rant.
I can confirm that this video is definitely a war story.
As an American, this was extremely colorful and amusing. Borderline savage in parts, but seemed very honest.
As a Brit mate,non of this surprises me,my late old man served in The Royal Navy during World War 11 under the late Philip of Greece who was (Jimmie the One during the war for a time on Wallace) Philip never changed,he was a typical RN Officer,his comments often met with disaproval. Dad and my brother and I loved it.
Like the late Jack Lemmon in a certain type of movie,he knew how to rant.
It reminded me of the story my friend told of the time he took a photo of the Royal jewels in the Tower of London. 🙄
2 / 8 /1776 best thing you ever did , speaking as a Brit.
@@redpoll4628: TURNCOAT!
@@redpoll4628speak for yourself another one whos ashamed of being British very sad
We visited Balmoral and were only allowed into one room of the entire castle, the ballroom! The rest of the visit was viewing photos of the Royals on display in a stable block or other outside building. The gardens were the best bit, considering that’s all we saw.
My Yorkshire and Cotswolds relatives all recommend tourists go to Highclere House. The Downton Abbey setting is actually prettier, more open, and staff are incredibly kind and welcoming. If anyone had a reason to be a bit snobbish, it would be the owners of this impeccably maintained and beautiful home but the owners are GRATEFUL and welcoming. There are easily accessible toilets in a convenient place, as well. You often hear during the tour people say they loved it more than either Royal Palace.
That’s someone’s home dear, do you want constant visitors in your home doing whatever they like?
It’s pathetic isn’t it, we were like “is that it?”
@@paullamola2317”home”😂yes, one of many “homes”
now I understand why my parents (then in their early 70’s) who were in London for only one day - chose a driven tour of the city to touring the palace - they still talk about their incredibly witty knowledgeable driver - the best part of the day - the neighbourhood pub the driver took them to and the best fish and chips ever 🇨🇦
Ah yes! We were known for those two marvelous things back in the 70’s - real and fresh fish and chips AND the kindest, wittiest and best tour guides coming in the form of a London cab/tour bus drivers! So glad you remember!!
Dr. Felton, if you ever need a “break” from preparing historical videos, may I humbly suggest you review restaurants, movies, or anything else that you have recently experienced (or been the victim of)? Sir, you definitely have a God-given talent for this! Thank you for giving me a great laugh.
Nah, rate the prostitutes.
We need a "Mark Felton Reviews" channel
Terrible idea for this type of channel.
This is one of the greatest examples of the angry Saxon man shakes fist at the Norman conquerors I've ever seen. Laughing my ass off...thank you Dr. Felton.
Except, not Norman, German.
@@donnagray9579 aye. They're Saxe-Coburg Gotha... but they can also trace their ancestry back to William the Conqueror.
Every time I hear about the 'British Royal Family' I have this terrible temptation to blurt out 'Deutschers in Disguise' aka 'Transformers'.
@@donnagray9579 Thank you. NOT Norman.
They are British. Simple.
OK, you are so correct about the sadistic staff and dusty rooms that seem to exist for their own sake. Also correct about tourist impressions, many of us leave and wonder why the British public would put up the idea of spending 500m to renovate this place.
Dear, that’s someone’s home. Be thoughtful because you wouldn’t like it if people did whatever they liked in their home. They get paid for their work. That’s their working rate.
We don't get consulted do Americans on say military spending?
I had the same kind of impression when I visited HMY Britannia (twice in fact, since it became an exhibition in Edinburgh) - the contrast was stark compared with when I visited it in the 1970s when it was still in service, as I had been invited to attend a cocktail party aboard when it was on an official tour abroad, and that was a lovely experience. Now such experiences are seemingly designed solely to rake in quite high visitor fees, with as many people being crammed in as safety regulations, presumably, permit.
Indeed Bill. I must say tourism has been down the last ten years or so. Paris now beats London when it comes to tourist dollars. I think the outrageous fees are because there are fewer tourists per year.
Rofl! Its so satisfying to hear someone so well spoken, as Mark is, berate an establishment. Pure joy! ...and thanks for the review ofc.
Well spoken ?????
He's only middle England.
I love this! Mark Felton is not only a brilliant history scholar but a refreshing humorist!
If only Mark was trying to be funny though! Thanks for the heads-up Mark, I will stay away!
Loved the subtle humor of this video. Just proves you dont have to be nasty to be funny. Also, not sure anyone else has commented, many historic places have the no photos and or backpacks rule. I visited Germany,Austria, Switzerland this summer. Most didn't allow photos inside on the grounds of tourists not paying attention and trying to maneuver to get the right instagram shot and knock over a piece of art or display. Backpacks the same. You tend to forget they stick out and may accidentally bump something. Or try and pinch queen Victorias knickers
I have sent this to friends and family. Priceless.
I had a similar experience at Windsor Castle (The castle which the Royal family neglected to insure and used tax payers money to rebuild after it burnt down in 1992). They charged a hefty sum to get in and I was barked at for not wanting to use an audio set. A man in uniform shouted 'So, you don't need one, think you know it all already do you?' I politely declined and informed him that I had a history degree which would suffice for the duration of my visit.
Not taxpayers. The royal family give all their private revenue from their estates to Parliament. In exchange, Parliament gives them a grant each year. They pay an effective tax rate over nearly 80pc. Most of the money they get goes to maintaining properties which are major money-makers.
@@Bunnyroo7 Fair enough, although I doubt they're paying for the security of the army and police when they travel. Then again, they're usually travelling for their 'jobs' so it isn't really up to them to pay expenses anyway.
@@JK_Clark It's effectively the same, whether it's a president or a monarch.
@@Bunnyroo7 Arguably neither are necessary.
@@JK_Clark It's the nature of politics, they want to give the nation a good face.
Thank you, Mark, for solving another historical mystery for me. I've often wondered what became of those particularly unpleasant British Airways cabin crew members assigned to economy. It appears they found employment at Buckingham Palace...
1980s Cathay Pacific stewardesses probably there too lol
😂❤❤❤
Are you sure that they didn't formerly work for Wal-Mart?
I'm glad they found work after the COVID testing centres closed down.
unironically, back when I used to fly UK-US and back, I found the British Airways to have the kindest cabin crew of all
Thankyou Mark for this fantastic video which appealed in every way with humour and total realism .... I am English and glad to say I live in Austria and enjoyed this true to life update from Buck House. You have highlighted every thing which holds interest entertains and at the same time brings home the truth. The horses are the best feature in my opinion and one can happily admire them with a clear conscience which is more than can be said for the kings guards with their bearskin hats which are surely against the environment. Your report is fair and I found it vey interesting, so well done
Are bearskin hats still made with mercury or something? What ever are these suppositions
@@salvadorromero9712 they are. made from live bears to the shame of the ministry of defense and. royal tradition. SHAME on all these people. Mark Felton as always gives a good account
Mark, brilliant, you should do more reviews! I led my firm summer party to Windsor Castle this summer, and had some similar observations. It was an eventful trip, starting with one of the partners being arrested for carrying a knife - a pruning knife for his cacti collection. "Top Management" (i.e. Charles and William) really do need to think about how all this is playing out. I have a framed commission signed by their mother/grandmother on my wall, but even I sometimes wonder whether even constitutional monarchy is the best way forward.
Wow and here I thought Prof. Felton's joke about the tour producing republicans was just that. That must have been one hell of a bad company party if it produced constitutional opinions. On viewing this video I'd actually said to myself, if Prof. Felton hates Buckingham Palace he's certainly in good company, as every royal seems to hate it as well. And I was just thinking that Windsor Castle, which they like much better and which is I believe still technically their primary residence, might be better. At the very least they had the courtesy to make the citizens of the United Kingdom feel at right at home, by throwing them into shackles for possession of pruning knives.
@@salvadorromero9712Taking a pruning knife to a royal residence isn't the smartest move
@@craigoliver8712 Taking a pruning knife to one's own residence isn't the smartest move in the United Kingdom. Butter knife either, come to think of it. Or mean tweets.
Mark, you probably won’t see this, but this video was marvellous. Well written and a nice change of pace. Well done.
I didn't think of Mark as a comedian....boy was I wrong! One of the funniest reviews!!! Excellent video and review!!!!
It takes a lot of good observation power and mental effort to be a good comedian.
The face like a smacked ass and customer skills of the gestapo line left me laughing so hard I now hurt. I must remember this line now.
Ty Dr Felton and wife
The juxtaposition of a proper English gent unloading on a subject for 8 minutes is so cathartic. And so cutting, there’s nothing left after this one haha! Loved it!
As an American…I endorse the comment about 1776. This was perfect. Once again Mr. Felton, thank you for your professional opinion.
The rebels that can´t even meter.
@@PROVOCATEURSKYes we'll stick to Freedom Units, thank you.
@@PROVOCATEURSK Neither can the loyalists, Brits use a bizarre mix of metric and imperial depending on the somewhat arbitrary situation and context, not just metric.
@@El_Jefe_Maestro I'll drink a pint to that. Let me just fill up a few litres at the petrol pump.
Unfortunately the US has become just as corrupt and dysfunctional in the modern day
I love it! Being a historian and a past master of sarcasm I have to say this made my day.
Awesome review!! I'm still laughing! Love the dry British wit!
You should visit the Danish Royal Palace. Storace lockers for backpacks at the entrance, toilets at entrance and exit, photography allowed everywhere, friendly staff and just generally a great place to visit....Come to Denmark :D
Excellent.
I am putting Denmark on my list!
Well, the Danish & British 'Royals' are all related anyway.
What's the point of visiting the Royal palace of Denmark? If they had some cool viking stuff like swords and maybe a long boat I'd be all in...other than that...
on it.
Ah Mark, you need to start doing more tourist spot reviews. That gave me a belly laugh. Who would have thought a historian could be so hilarious
The intro music adds to it
I always assumed he has a great sense of humour, and now it is revealed. This is just wonderful. 😂
As always Marks commentary is impeccable and entertaining ! Very informative and educational thanks again for sharing another great piece of work from your masterful catalog!
Mark, I’ve got to tell you, snarky, sarcastic, and a little bit ornery humor is my favorite, and you sir, have nailed it. I’m simply an American rube, but I’ve always been enamored with the British knack for the dry sense of humor. Basil Fawlty sprung to mind as I watched this, and I can’t thank you enough for it. “Customer service skills of the Gestapo!”😂 I’ve had run-ins with similar such staff, and apologies, but I’m going to have to use that one in the future.😉
Oh I'm definitely adding that one to my lexicon.
Quoting German words or imagery is the happy pastime of all Anglophones looking for just the right word to describe something unpleasantly coercive.
This video is what CZcams is all about 😂 Such quality content and great British humour without being overly produced.
Visited London in 1982 when was stationed in West Germany while in US Army. Visited Buckingham Palace and got to see the Changing of the Guard. Had I stayed roughly 15-minutes later I would have been able to see the Queen in one of her carriages but was too tuckered out after spending 2-days walking from one end of London to the other seeing the sites in an exceptionally warm October weekend (quickly learned the value of one of those Tube Passes afterwards). Once I returned to my hotel room and turned on the TV to watch the local news was when I discovered that the Queen left the Palace and was going wherever at around the time I left the area.
*How have I only just found this hilarious gem of a channel!* Subbed❤
I felt the same many years ago when visiting the Vatican. It was stifling hot and the crowd was so packed into the building you could barely swing your arms to walk naturally. I've never been so happy to get out of a building in my life.
Did people go in as devout Catholics and come out Protestants?
No, Scientologists! Lol
_"I've never been so happy to get out of a building in my life."_
I'm sure countless children have said the same over the decades.
@@user-mr4uo5mw9n It felt more like a drug kingpin's mansion than any sort of religious building.
I totally agree, I had a panic attack in the sardines like crowd and was searching for an exit but they were all locked, this was in the early 80s so no doubt its worse now. Seeing the iconic art was a small compensation. I'm glad I didn't bother with the Palace tour when I was in London.
As an American, I found this whole thing amusing. Thanks for posting, Dr. Felton!
Did you do your Shabusiness today?
@@uy7munirI bet your a real blast at parties!! You and all your , your your friends?? Oh SEW Sahhrree.!!
@@uy7munir Shabusiness?
When I visited Moscow and St. Petersburg, we could take photos and videos in all palaces we went to!
Yes, there's a reason the Palace of Versailles gets more visitors than all the UK's 'royal' attractions combined.
One of the most heart-warming, cutting and delicious roastings I have had the privilege to listen to in my 41 years, magnificent!
At last someone who feels the way we did about the palace tour. We hated being watched so carefully it’s not that there’s anything nice to steal. During our trip around the gardens I nearly ended up in the tower as I wanted to take a snap of my bored stiff wife. I took it anyway. Got told off like a two year old. As you rightly say it’s for tourists only usually in big groups, we would never advise anyone we really liked to go the best thing the wife bought was her fridge magnet. Thank you for being so honest, looking forward to watching you again
The royal family hate being there, too. It's essentially a state building only and is treated as such.
We had an equally frustrating visit to Cardiff Castle. We’re Canadian and we’re looking forward to seeing inside the castle. We were told we had to leave backpacks and cameras outside at the door. One of us had to stay outside with our stuff since we didn’t want it stolen. Then the tour guide screamed at my sick with cancer father for leaning on a wall. He was 3 feet away from it and never touched it. We told the guide this and he approached my father to grab him away and then realized he wasn’t near the damned wall. Needless to say he was told off pretty fast for putting hands on my dad.
What's the tour guide's name?
@@ryangearpermer241 Basil, probably.
That is clearly wrong and unfair and should not have happened especially grabbing him. However, unless your sick with cancer father had a sign around his neck saying 'sick with cancer father' then it's really not relevant. Not to mention, if your sick with cancer father did happen to do something he wasn't supposed to do, then the fact that he may also, be sick with cancer, or, your father, should not by rights be an acceptable get out of jail free card. If the tour guide or anyone else does something wrong then it's wrong because it's wrong, not because of a completely unconnected negative aspect that's going on in your life, unless of course you're using it for additional pity points, and/or in an attempt to manipulate people into being 'more on your side', and it's wholly unnecessary.
@@jcn91 The unwell father didn't do anything wrong though. Did you not read the original comment?
You're completely missing the point. Everyone should be treated with respect, especially a paying customer!
Thank you Mark, that's saved me an embarrassing and frustrating time had a chosen to take visiting relatives there. I'm also pretty peeved at St Paul's Cathedral charging £23 for entrance.
Many agree with you.
It used to be free to visit St Paul's cathedral
I have also been there myself a couple years back and I totally agree with you. The place is a total disgrace and the royal family along with the local government should be ashamed of how they run that beautiful place. I would never go back again but I do encourage everyone to enjoy there day doing something better like walking the London bridge/ Big Ben and or enjoying the shops instead. The local British people are very nice and love to chat and the fish and chips are amazing.
I've heard about this from other Americans who visited. I have a trip planned to the UK next summer, mainly to go to Bovington, and thought we would check out the palace. But no, not going now for sure. Thank you Mark for saving us the aggravation.
London is not safe anymore
Politicians always ruin anything nice for the peasants it their civil diservice
Go to the Tower of London instead, very worthwhile.
There are any number of fine Stately Homes in the UK, most of which need to make a visit a pleasant experience to keep the moolah rolling in and the Tax Wolves from the door. The Royal Properties are unfortunately in a "privileged" position. 😉
If you have an interest in the Military then a visit to the Tank Museum at Bovington (especially for their Yearly Celebration Weekend) is highly recommended. Stay near Dorchester where you can contrast the ancient (Maiden Castle) with the modern. 😊
We Americans toured the palace in 2011, a few months after William & Kate got married. We loved the tour & being able to have dessert on the terrace after. I believe we were able to take pictures back then while touring the palace. We felt it was a highlight of our week in London. We had been stationed in England for 7 years with the USAF so enjoyed going back. London had really changed & was a real melting pot. Very expensive even in 2011.
I didn't know how much I needed to hear Mark rant about the monarchy, That made my whole year
The queen is dead - The Smiths 🎵🇬🇧🥊🎵
Max respect Mark for your honesty, as always.
Love your commentary, and perspective, thank you for truth.
Dr. Felton went full savage. I love it.
That’s your knighthood out of the window 😂 Brilliant review, loved the ‘face like a smacked arse’.
The good Doctor can probably kiss his prospective OBE goodbye as well. Pity.
I think he should still get the OBE for telling the truth on any subject.
@@nancymilawski1048 I concur 100%! His body of work is incredible!
I really love this man!(US citizen here).
Outstanding. Well done. Thank you.
It really does sound like the entire experience is intended to make absolutely sure you understand that YOU are a commoner and the royals are your betters, and your presence in Buckingham Palace is only grudgingly tolerated. Considered from a historical perspective, that attitude is quite authentic and traditional. By the end of the tour, you will have a pretty good idea of what it feels like to be a subject - and don't you ever forget it!
Sounds good..... and you get to experience the humiliation and submission to elitist authority of German stock for free, multiple times after your first visit.... it's well worth it
What is really at the core is that the staff did not hire on to be tour guides, etc., and are obviously very resentful of being gawped at day in and day out like it's the Regent's Park Zoo- and they are on the wrong side of the fence.
And pay for it. Again.
Epstein queens favorite babysitter
Honestly, having worked a number of customer relations jobs, I'm on the staff's side for this one. If you want politeness and an absence of resentment, then go somewhere with few visitors instead. The more visitors there are, the worse their behavior, and the less they'll be able to pay attention; they turn less to thinking individuals, and more to a monolithic herd. And the ones that don't act like cattle will be temperamental because the crowd size stops them from paying attention the way they want, as if they blame the staff for their own failure to do enough research before hand to actually figure out what the tour is like.
I was able to visit London last year (from Canada). I didn't even want to see Buckingham Palace because I had heard 25 years ago that it wasn't worth it. Looks like nothing has changed. Thank you for taking one for the team, sir.
Thank you Mr Felton for this video, very well spoken & detailed review .
This contrasts with my experience of Buckingham Palace, my wife and I visited shortly after the Buckingham Palace doors were opened for the first time. It was all very new. The crowds didn't exist. They were very few people going through probably because the weather was so poor. Yes, the interior looks very Liberace, but that is to be expected given that the majority of the decor isn't particularly old in monarchy terms. The "Royal tourist tat" is of course excellent for impressing elderly relatives. For a much better royal experience I suggest the Tower of London. But capacity management is clearly the key.
I once knew someone whose mother had worked in an office in Buckingham Palace years ago. She said that, for the most part, the royal family were nice and approachable. It was the senior palace staff who were all stuck-up asses. She said that she had to kow-tow to senior staff far more that to members of the royal family.
Doesn't surprise me. Wannabes and coattail riders are very often worse than the ones they're tagging after.
That applies to all government agencies. Politicians are generally approachable as their job rely on happy faces but the people who wield the most power are the civil servants who don't even have to perform well to keep their jobs.
It was the "senior staff" and the media that ran Megan and Harry off.
Same with staff in snobbish high end shops, they actually think they own the store !
Having met Camilla in person, I can attest that she was really lovely. I'm sure the royals are all like save (save a few notable examples). But yeah, being practically bullied by snobbish staff thinking they're hot shit because they work for royalty is definitely a good way to turn people away from the royals.
Thank you Mark. This has been a rather boring and uneventful day up until now. You had me smiling and chuckling for over 20 minutes. And that is greatly appreciated. 😊
More comedy content like this please! Reminds me of Mark’s rants from Peep Show! Funnily enough I started applying to work there almost a year ago, but I was put off by the amount of ridiculous questions. Funny how you mentioned the recruitment goals, and how poor the staff were, really funny!
If Felton is pissed off, it's because he's realised the Emperor has no clothes, not that the Emperor's clothes have fallen into disrepair.
“Whoever runs the palace may be working for the other side” 😂