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!
@@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.
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.
"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!
@@JimMac23 👍👍👍 Yes, although I understand he had both a white grand piano with subtle gold pinstriping, a Lucite grand piano and a swimming pool in the shape of a grand piano. But certainly a more restrained use of gilt.
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. 🤣
"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.
@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.
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.
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.
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
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!
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.
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'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."
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.
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.. 😂
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! 🙌🤣
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.
"Out the exit pour large numbers of newly converted British Republicans and bemused Americans thanking their lucky stars for 1776." Freaking hilarious 😂
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!
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.
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.
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...
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.
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.
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". 😂😂😂😂😂
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
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.
" 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!
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.
@@danielwilliams4007 What? No Mustangs in Britain? But a few months back, I watched a video of a Brit driving a Mustang in what should be the passenger’s seat? Did my eyes deceive me? Just kidding….actually cool y’all like ‘em, too!
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
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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
@@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
You have such great sense of humour, so descriptive and understated, yet I felt like I was interned with you. The lighter videos are always a nice change of pace. Best one since Larry the Cat. You must have your wife laughing every day. Best wishes from colonial Canada
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.
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. 😊
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.😉
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
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...
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.
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.
@@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.
😂😂😂 Absolutely hilarious Mark. I hope the people running the show at Buckingham Palace take note of this. It seems a few need a royal boot up the arse.
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!
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.
This was one of the best reviews I’ve heard. Absolutely on par with the BEST movie reviewer, the Critical Drinker. I’ve always suspected you had an excellent sense of humor, now it’s proven!! Well done!
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.
@@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 truly outdid yourself this time. Last summer, my family and I went to England for vacation, and visited the Palace. Your description was accurate. When we left, we were one of those Americans thankful for 1776. LOL
Some folks may blame the Palace staff's rudeness on the hot weather which looks to be around for a few days yet. But it's probably a year round issue of low to no morale. Charles III should form a Royal Commission to investigate visitor complaints. It should have its report and recommendations ready by the end of the century.
It would be better if they just didn't open the building to the public. At least it would preserve some of the so-called 'mystique'. And they hardly need the money, do they?🤔
Imperialism is a class based system, isn’t it? If you’re a UK citizen, it’s your tax dollars paying for some perceived “better than you” aristocrat’s property. Why not nationalize it and charge the occupants rental fees?
@@davidj.leavitt249 A lot wrong with your comment: 1. Buckingham Palace belongs to the nation already, not the monarch (as does Windsor Castle and many other Royal palaces). Therefore the buildings upkeep/ restoration work will be paid for regardless of whether the United Kingdom has a monarchy. 2. Imperialism has nothing to do with their constitutional monarchy in 2023. Royals are no longer colonizing other countries, and do an immense amount of good for not only their own country, but the wider commonwealth also. 3. Royals are not aristocrats. The Aristocracy (e.g. Dukes, Earls, Marquess, Viscounts, Barons etc), are not the same as Royalty (Kings, Queens, Princes, Princesses etc).
I worked for the Royal Collection Trust as one of those wardens, but at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh, where things are a little more relaxed and friendly. During the London Olympics my partner and other colleagues where asked to work Buckingham Palaces summer opening. Needless to say the staff and middle management where exactly like mark described and proud of it. Toxic working environment. Glad to hear things haven't changed.
@@samuelj2408 I left their employment with a bitter experience. The fact they clearly haven't changed in self importance and snobbery has reassured I made the correct choice. I make an effort to be inclusive, patient and welcoming in my other roles in the museums and libraries sector to differ myself from these types of people at the Royal Collection. Although, the actual higher management and members of The Royal Family (Except Andrew) where all very nice.
I expected the gardens at Holyrood to be a highlight of my Edinburgh visit, until I discovered the royal scam and skipped it entirely. I've only broken down twice. Once for the gardens at Hamptom Court because gardens are my jam and again at the Tower of London, which I felt was history held hostage. @@rossh9931
This is perhaps the most English review I have ever seen. And the fact it comes from someone who normally publishes very serious Nazi mini docos is nothing short of amazing.
Yeah and notice you do not see any critical communist docos. Hmmm. The greatest oppressors and mass murderers in history but you would never know that by anything on this channel.
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.
It's sad how they don't respect either the place, nor those who are so keen on visiting it. But thank you for shining a light on this! And you did it in such an amusing way as well! It looks like I and tens of thousands of other people have had more fun today simply watching this video than visiting Buckingham Palace!
Dr. Felton used one of my favourite words, "Detritus" in his smackdown of the palace. His illustration of the festering, vegetative rot of the place, really drilled in his experience of the day.
I was separated from my family, and observed someone walk up to a wall and open one of those hidden servant passages. I had to checkout opening the door, then I couldn’t help doing a little exploring. Best huge mistake I ever made, threatened to hold me in custody until my flight, then they gave me a very brief but interesting mini tour, facts/history, of the passage that lead to one of the royal’s chambers after I told them how I gained access. Apparently one of the staff was taking a shortcut during tour hours.
@@LiClan No, I clearly walked around a roped off area to access an obvious non public area, then was immediately ejected to the actual curb in their grasp the entire time.
This was actually really funny. Mark should definitely do more reviews of disappointing London attractions. Madame Tussaud’s should definitely be on the list.
Visited Madame Tussaud’s in the 1980s. Wandering about, I was handed a camera by a lady and asked to take a photo of her and her husband standing either side of one of the statues. Intensely shy, I obeyed, lifted the camera and clicked. As I clicked, I saw they were proudly flanking Hitler, standing as close to him as possible. I am Jewish.
In my humble opinion, ALL of London is a disappointing attraction. It’s such a shame that so many foreign visitors to our green and pleasant land only see London, Britain has so much more to offer. London, to me, doesn’t even feel British any more, sure the ‘attractions’ are there but the people and culture that made it distinctively English all went to Essex!
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
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.
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.
Long time viewer but first time commenting. Your comments on "British republicans and bemused Americans" had me rolling. Fantastic video. Love the dry sense of humor. You should do more of these kind of reviews from time to time as it was very enjoyable, in addition to your fantastic regular content! Keep up the great work. This bemused American thanks you!
This is the best review ever! Never have I heard such a scathing and articulate review. I am sure the visit experience deserves every syllable. Hopefully someone takes note and fixes those issues.
@@FrLawRE Yes in a somewhat other way. To make it Simple "verboten" is the adjective and it means "prohibited" or "not allowed". The Word "Verbot" is the nomen (english Word?!) so its the very thing : "the prohibition" Schönen Tag noch (:
This was the finest in its form review I've heard in years. And an extremely competent content wise, as well. Thank you Dr Felton, now I know NOT to visit.
Thirty pounds a person?! That's outrageously pricey, particularly when no photography is permitted. " . . . the customer service skills of the Gestapo" - what a vivid description. Superb and greatly amusing review of what seems to be a rude and unwelcoming "tourist trap" as we call them here in the US.
The 'no photography' rule will of course, be to ensure the only way publishers can get a photo of a room inside the palace is through buying one of the official pics. When I was a journalist some years ago, you'd have to pay around £40 - 50 per image so it's a good money-spinner for the palace.
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.
Nice to see it hasn't changed at all then. I must have gone almost 10 years ago now and with the exception of the exhibit being Kate Middleton's wedding dress the description Mark has given is exactly the same as my own experience. Even down to the back pack thing, Which was a pain considering I had gone as a Scout Leader taking a group of 40 odd scouts, parents and other leaders with me, all of whom had day bags for the trip around London.
@@doonhamer252 how does the way in which a backpack is carried effect security? It's still there, with you. If anything if it was on your back you wouldn't be able to get into it quite as easily as when forced to carry it in your hands, and if you were to then everyone would maybe be more aware when you have to take it off instead of being able to surreptitiously move things in and out of it. Just sounds like you heard 'Muh.... security' and assumed it must therefore mean something positive or necessary.
@@jcn91 I bet it's because when you wear a backpack you are prone to knock things over. I had a magazine rack on the wall near my front door and I removed it because I kept knocking it to the ground, spilling all the magazines to the floor when I entered my house.
@@Ozymandias1 I agree, that's what I thought, at least part of the reason anyway. I wasn't necessarily disagreeing with the rule, it was their comment 'for security, I'd agree on backpacks' as though their vacuous romanticism of 'security' like that isn't an utterly inane thing to say.
@@jcn91 Just a guess, but maybe it is more for mitigating risk of damage or injury to others .. I flew with an airline several years ago, they requested that you carry your pack in front of you while boarding and deplaning .. only once heard it ..
Mark, if this is your first foray into tourist trap reviews, please don't make it your last. This was terrific! As an Aussie who has travelled to London many times, I've never been inside Buckingham Palace. I tend to avoid the Northern Hemisphere in summer mostly due to the crowds and exorbitant cost of everything, so the Palace has never been open while I've been there. And it seems this isn't a bad thing. I did tour the Houses of Parliament in April, and can highly recommend it. The seat of your elected officials appears more friendly than the home of your unelected sovereign (yes yes, I'm an Aussie and he's also my sovereign for some reason).
Australia is a true friend to us here in the UK (so many of your brave soldiers lost supporting us in wars). I hope you don't mind me saying, it is about time you ditched the outdated role of the monarchy in your country.
I agree re. Australia's relationship with the monarchy, but one of the Australians' greatest qualities is apathy, which is why we never have gangs of murderous rebels and traitors trashing the place like Trump's moronic rabble tried in the USA. Since King Charles has no power to do anything in modern Australia, that apathy means an historical status quo dodders on indefinitely. He's occasionally appears, rather like an unflushable turd that keeps emerging from the sewer, but he doesn't actually do any real harm.
He's your Sovereign, because of QE2R, and the Empire She Represented which probably gave you your life for better or worse. God the disrespect. Do you deserve the world QE2R and the Empire have carved out for you and your people? Or no? You're mad at history for the role Her Family succeeded into? Dear Lord. Failure. Pure failure.
As a republican married to a royalist, we have unique conversations on the merits of the aristocracy quite often. My loud laughter at Dr. Felton's opinions were met with a cold, disdainful stare by "She Who Must Be Obeyed". Thanks for making this a great day!
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.
"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 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.
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.
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.
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
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
"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!
Liberace's house is much more tasteful.
@@JimMac23 👍👍👍
Yes, although I understand he had both a white grand piano with subtle gold pinstriping, a Lucite grand piano and a swimming pool in the shape of a grand piano. But certainly a more restrained use of gilt.
@@JimMac23Atleast Liberace’s talents procured him the funds for a lavish home. Not like taxation upon his subjects.
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!
“My disappointment is immeasurable and my day is ruined” -Mark Felton
Giving review brah a run for his money
That is some serious disappointment there!!
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.
Customer service skills of the gestapo is absolutely a line I’m going to steal. Brilliant video
"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.
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?
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!
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 😂
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
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
"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
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!
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.
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...
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.
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.. 😂
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.
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.
"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.
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!
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.
“…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.
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
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.
I can confirm that this video is definitely a war story.
This video is what UA-cam is all about 😂 Such quality content and great British humour without being overly produced.
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 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". 😂😂😂😂😂
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.
Mark, you probably won’t see this, but this video was marvellous. Well written and a nice change of pace. Well done.
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!!
Wonderful! Made me laugh out loud. NO ONE could have said it better.
" 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
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 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!
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.
You wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of Mark!!! 😂
Easy enough,.. peasants are at the bottom of the rung anyway, you can't get any lower. 😂😂
Kicking Mustang commenting on a Mark Felton video - Mind blown! If you know, you know!!!
@@danielwilliams4007lol, the king of head shots himself
@@danielwilliams4007 What? No Mustangs in Britain? But a few months back, I watched a video of a Brit driving a Mustang in what should be the passenger’s seat? Did my eyes deceive me? Just kidding….actually cool y’all like ‘em, too!
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.
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.
Not only does Dr.Mark Felton enlighten us with wisdom, however he now saves us money too!
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 🎵🇬🇧🥊🎵
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.
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?
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
You have such great sense of humour, so descriptive and understated, yet I felt like I was interned with you. The lighter videos are always a nice change of pace. Best one since Larry the Cat. You must have your wife laughing every day. Best wishes from colonial Canada
Dr. Felton went full savage. I love it.
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!
I love your dry, impartial, fact based videos but I think every now and then a brilliant rant like this one is perfect
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. 😊
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.
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.
"...and the customer service skills of the Gestapo...". Hahahaha. That was funny and illustrative. Mark, you were kindly cross.
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.
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.
@@Gallic_Gabagool 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
😂😂😂 Absolutely hilarious Mark.
I hope the people running the show at Buckingham Palace take note of this. It seems a few need a royal boot up the arse.
They won't.
Not sure it would fit, the stick up there would be in the way.
@@klutttmuttsprutt6087 😂👏🏼
nah, they wont
Go Mark! After watching many of your videos over the past few years I certainly was surprised by this one. Well done!
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!
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.
This was one of the best reviews I’ve heard. Absolutely on par with the BEST movie reviewer, the Critical Drinker. I’ve always suspected you had an excellent sense of humor, now it’s proven!! Well done!
Critical Drinker is a National Treasure!! Props to Dr. F too...
Oh man, we need Drinker to tour Buckingham Palace and give us a review. That would be amazing.
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.
This absolutely made my day. Thank you Mark, you're a gem!
Mark, you truly outdid yourself this time. Last summer, my family and I went to England for vacation, and visited the Palace. Your description was accurate. When we left, we were one of those Americans thankful for 1776. LOL
Some folks may blame the Palace staff's rudeness on the hot weather which looks to be around for a few days yet. But it's probably a year round issue of low to no morale. Charles III should form a Royal Commission to investigate visitor complaints. It should have its report and recommendations ready by the end of the century.
It would be better if they just didn't open the building to the public. At least it would preserve some of the so-called 'mystique'. And they hardly need the money, do they?🤔
Those ratts don't care.
Imperialism is a class based system, isn’t it? If you’re a UK citizen, it’s your tax dollars paying for some perceived “better than you” aristocrat’s property. Why not nationalize it and charge the occupants rental fees?
@@davidj.leavitt249 A lot wrong with your comment:
1. Buckingham Palace belongs to the nation already, not the monarch (as does Windsor Castle and many other Royal palaces). Therefore the buildings upkeep/ restoration work will be paid for regardless of whether the United Kingdom has a monarchy.
2. Imperialism has nothing to do with their constitutional monarchy in 2023. Royals are no longer colonizing other countries, and do an immense amount of good for not only their own country, but the wider commonwealth also.
3. Royals are not aristocrats. The Aristocracy (e.g. Dukes, Earls, Marquess, Viscounts, Barons etc), are not the same as Royalty (Kings, Queens, Princes, Princesses etc).
Charles is more concerned with homoeopathy, climate change, critical race theory, and other woke nonsense he can virtue signal about.
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.
You, Sir, are a man of many talents. Your historical videos are second to none, now we find out you can write one hell of a creative dig! Bravo!
I worked for the Royal Collection Trust as one of those wardens, but at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh, where things are a little more relaxed and friendly. During the London Olympics my partner and other colleagues where asked to work Buckingham Palaces summer opening. Needless to say the staff and middle management where exactly like mark described and proud of it. Toxic working environment. Glad to hear things haven't changed.
And are you now a Republican? 😂
Lite Republican, yes :D@@benfletcher9659
Why would you be glad about a toxic and terrible work environment?
@@samuelj2408 I left their employment with a bitter experience. The fact they clearly haven't changed in self importance and snobbery has reassured I made the correct choice. I make an effort to be inclusive, patient and welcoming in my other roles in the museums and libraries sector to differ myself from these types of people at the Royal Collection. Although, the actual higher management and members of The Royal Family (Except Andrew) where all very nice.
I expected the gardens at Holyrood to be a highlight of my Edinburgh visit, until I discovered the royal scam and skipped it entirely. I've only broken down twice. Once for the gardens at Hamptom Court because gardens are my jam and again at the Tower of London, which I felt was history held hostage. @@rossh9931
Bravo, Mark! You're as adept a comedian as you are a scholar 😂
Is there anything more cutting than an unfavourable review, eloquently and politely expressed?!
This is perhaps the most English review I have ever seen. And the fact it comes from someone who normally publishes very serious Nazi mini docos is nothing short of amazing.
Yeah and notice you do not see any critical communist docos. Hmmm. The greatest oppressors and mass murderers in history but you would never know that by anything on this channel.
True
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.
It's sad how they don't respect either the place, nor those who are so keen on visiting it. But thank you for shining a light on this! And you did it in such an amusing way as well! It looks like I and tens of thousands of other people have had more fun today simply watching this video than visiting Buckingham Palace!
Max respect Mark for your honesty, as always.
Dr. Felton used one of my favourite words, "Detritus" in his smackdown of the palace. His illustration of the festering, vegetative rot of the place, really drilled in his experience of the day.
I was separated from my family, and observed someone walk up to a wall and open one of those hidden servant passages. I had to checkout opening the door, then I couldn’t help doing a little exploring. Best huge mistake I ever made, threatened to hold me in custody until my flight, then they gave me a very brief but interesting mini tour, facts/history, of the passage that lead to one of the royal’s chambers after I told them how I gained access. Apparently one of the staff was taking a shortcut during tour hours.
So the staff member got the blame?
@@LiClan No, I clearly walked around a roped off area to access an obvious non public area, then was immediately ejected to the actual curb in their grasp the entire time.
This was actually really funny. Mark should definitely do more reviews of disappointing London attractions.
Madame Tussaud’s should definitely be on the list.
Visited Madame Tussaud’s in the 1980s. Wandering about, I was handed a camera by a lady and asked to take a photo of her and her husband standing either side of one of the statues. Intensely shy, I obeyed, lifted the camera and clicked. As I clicked, I saw they were proudly flanking Hitler, standing as close to him as possible. I am Jewish.
Madame Tussaud's isn't that bad. I still would recommend it.
Could he perhaps "wax lyrical" on the subject?
In my humble opinion, ALL of London is a disappointing attraction. It’s such a shame that so many foreign visitors to our green and pleasant land only see London, Britain has so much more to offer.
London, to me, doesn’t even feel British any more, sure the ‘attractions’ are there but the people and culture that made it distinctively English all went to Essex!
@Pete-tq6in I agree. Oxford, Birmingham, and other cities are far more beautiful. And the villages as well!
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
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!
If you ever get bored of history, you have a great future as a reviewer!😂
Long time viewer but first time commenting. Your comments on "British republicans and bemused Americans" had me rolling. Fantastic video. Love the dry sense of humor. You should do more of these kind of reviews from time to time as it was very enjoyable, in addition to your fantastic regular content! Keep up the great work. This bemused American thanks you!
1:42 “The customer service skills of the Gestapo.”
I’m using that phrase.
Mark frustrated and angry? We've never seen him like this, The Royal family better watch out
Field Marshal Fenton and his subscriber army of 2 million are on the march!
with any luck they'll be as worried as the Govt are whenever Martin Lewis pipes up about soaring energy bills
This is the best review ever! Never have I heard such a scathing and articulate review. I am sure the visit experience deserves every syllable. Hopefully someone takes note and fixes those issues.
As a German i always laugh when Mark says "Verbot" instead of "banned" or "not allowed" 😂
We love to regulate and ban 😂
I thought the German word was "verboten".
@@FrLawRE Yes in a somewhat other way. To make it Simple "verboten" is the adjective and it means "prohibited" or "not allowed".
The Word "Verbot" is the nomen (english Word?!) so its the very thing : "the prohibition"
Schönen Tag noch (:
I could be entirely wrong but I always thought the English word "forbidden" was derived from "verboten".
@@catherinelw9365 Same with me. The both Words sounds nearly identical. English and German came from the same Germanic Language Family (:
My favourite version of the word is Verbots-gebot. Making it mandatory to ban something. 😄
I really love this man!(US citizen here).
This was the finest in its form review I've heard in years. And an extremely competent content wise, as well.
Thank you Dr Felton, now I know NOT to visit.
The amount of times I laughed during this was astonishing and incredibly welcome. I am indeed thanking my lucky stars for 1776.
A great line for sure! Though - more and more, I do feel we would have been better off as part of the eventual Commonwealth. 🇬🇧
Thirty pounds a person?! That's outrageously pricey, particularly when no photography is permitted. " . . . the customer service skills of the Gestapo" - what a vivid description. Superb and greatly amusing review of what seems to be a rude and unwelcoming "tourist trap" as we call them here in the US.
The 'no photography' rule will of course, be to ensure the only way publishers can get a photo of a room inside the palace is through buying one of the official pics. When I was a journalist some years ago, you'd have to pay around £40 - 50 per image so it's a good money-spinner for the palace.
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?
Nice to see it hasn't changed at all then. I must have gone almost 10 years ago now and with the exception of the exhibit being Kate Middleton's wedding dress the description Mark has given is exactly the same as my own experience. Even down to the back pack thing, Which was a pain considering I had gone as a Scout Leader taking a group of 40 odd scouts, parents and other leaders with me, all of whom had day bags for the trip around London.
for security, I'd agree on backpacks, but also agree that lockers could have been provided directly near the entrance with proper baffles etc..
@@doonhamer252 how does the way in which a backpack is carried effect security? It's still there, with you. If anything if it was on your back you wouldn't be able to get into it quite as easily as when forced to carry it in your hands, and if you were to then everyone would maybe be more aware when you have to take it off instead of being able to surreptitiously move things in and out of it. Just sounds like you heard 'Muh.... security' and assumed it must therefore mean something positive or necessary.
@@jcn91 I bet it's because when you wear a backpack you are prone to knock things over. I had a magazine rack on the wall near my front door and I removed it because I kept knocking it to the ground, spilling all the magazines to the floor when I entered my house.
@@Ozymandias1 I agree, that's what I thought, at least part of the reason anyway. I wasn't necessarily disagreeing with the rule, it was their comment 'for security, I'd agree on backpacks' as though their vacuous romanticism of 'security' like that isn't an utterly inane thing to say.
@@jcn91 Just a guess, but maybe it is more for mitigating risk of damage or injury to others ..
I flew with an airline several years ago, they requested that you carry your pack in front of you while boarding and deplaning .. only once heard it ..
Mark, if this is your first foray into tourist trap reviews, please don't make it your last. This was terrific! As an Aussie who has travelled to London many times, I've never been inside Buckingham Palace. I tend to avoid the Northern Hemisphere in summer mostly due to the crowds and exorbitant cost of everything, so the Palace has never been open while I've been there. And it seems this isn't a bad thing. I did tour the Houses of Parliament in April, and can highly recommend it. The seat of your elected officials appears more friendly than the home of your unelected sovereign (yes yes, I'm an Aussie and he's also my sovereign for some reason).
Unless your ancestors were one of the seventy thousand taken to Australia in handcuffs for stealing a piece of fruit. Then f..kum.😂😂
Australia is a true friend to us here in the UK (so many of your brave soldiers lost supporting us in wars). I hope you don't mind me saying, it is about time you ditched the outdated role of the monarchy in your country.
Strange, I felt the opposite.
I went to the houses of Parliament a few years ago and thought it was a shithole.
Buckingham >>> Westminster.
I agree re. Australia's relationship with the monarchy, but one of the Australians' greatest qualities is apathy, which is why we never have gangs of murderous rebels and traitors trashing the place like Trump's moronic rabble tried in the USA. Since King Charles has no power to do anything in modern Australia, that apathy means an historical status quo dodders on indefinitely. He's occasionally appears, rather like an unflushable turd that keeps emerging from the sewer, but he doesn't actually do any real harm.
He's your Sovereign, because of QE2R, and the Empire She Represented which probably gave you your life for better or worse. God the disrespect. Do you deserve the world QE2R and the Empire have carved out for you and your people? Or no?
You're mad at history for the role Her Family succeeded into? Dear Lord. Failure. Pure failure.
As a republican married to a royalist, we have unique conversations on the merits of the aristocracy quite often. My loud laughter at Dr. Felton's opinions were met with a cold, disdainful stare by "She Who Must Be Obeyed". Thanks for making this a great day!
😂😂😂
I read this comment in a thick and distinguished British accent
Based family
I'm terrified for you.
Oh Rumploe
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