Published: January 01. 2010 2:00AM

By Renata Parker
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

It's not every day that you have an authentic royal experience. But there I was in the right place at the right time, and the lucky recipient of an invitation to dine at Westminster Palace in London. Since 1512, Westminster Palace has housed England's governing body — the Houses of Parliament. Famous trials in history, including that of Anne Boleyn and King Charles I, were held in its famous hall. It is where Winston Churchill's body lay in state and a host of notable parliamentary functions take place.

Westminster Hall is the only original part of Westminster Palace, and as expected, security clearance is extremely high. We were photographed, credentialed and escorted inside the Parliament complex. Guards and poised white-tie attendants maintained the corridors filled with dignitaries, officials, politicians and guests. Patient visitors were queued behind velvet ropes to view the next debate. The formal Old World decor had all of the heavy trappings you would expect of a palace, yet without any of the glitz.

In the dining area, a team of butlers huddled to rehearse the day’s delivery. In order to dine inside Parliament, an invitation by a member is required. Susan Kramer, member of Parliament for Richmond Park and North Kingston, was our host. We toasted a glass of champagne outside the House of Commons Terrace, where we soaked in a very rare cloudless day and watched the slow roll of the Thames River with a magnificent skyline of London as a backdrop. The sense of history was overwhelming. Within the sober banquet walls of the dining room, an elegant presentation of traditional no-nonsense British cuisine was served. As one local guest exclaimed, "It flies the British flag!"

On gold-emblem china arrived spiced butternut squash with root crisps and tender roasted rib of Angus beef. But it was the presentation of Yorkshire pudding that caused excitement. More of a pastry than a pudding, Yorkshire pudding is a national favorite. With mannered restraint, we marveled at the impressive height and the flakiness. Though airy, it was savory and delicious. This exquisite meal was concluded with a pour of rich port.

Even if your name is not "on the list," London offers a number of venues that provide an experience that won't disappoint or have to break a royal bank. The recently renovated Royal Horseguards Hotel offers luxury accommodations and a premier location convenient to major venues and sights, such as Westminster Abbey, the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament.

Named after the royal soldiers of the queen's Household Division, this newly renovated, five-star hotel is located on historic Whitehall Court, one of London's most prestigious places. According to Caroline Bowler, director of the Royal Horseguards and One Whitehall Place, this 1884 French château-style building was once used by the Secret Service in the first World War and currently is on land owned by the Crown Estate.

A majority of the stylish rooms and suites offer views of the Thames fit for a queen. The most spectacular is the Tower Suite. This one-bedroom suite offers a circular sitting area on the second floor with floor-to-ceiling windows. You may have a difficult time parting from this suite.

For dining, you don't have to go far. Named after the famous telephone number of Scotland Yard, restaurant One Twenty One Two offers discerning diners a menu of delicious options, such as Roast Joint of the Day, Pan Roasted Yorkshire Dale Lamb Rump with Dauphine Potatoes, Fillet of Gloucestershire Beef (which is hung for 20 days) and Seared Quorn. The restaurant's romantic outdoor terrace is a find, and I reveled in a moment to recharge under the stars. After dinner, head to the handsome Churchill Bar, which was once home to the National Liberal Club and continues to attract power brokers and politicians.

You can't miss the royal pageantry of the changing of the guard on the grounds that were once King Henry VIII's tournament grounds. Military buffs will delight in the collection at the Guards museum on Birdcage Walk which is also near the hotel. More than 300 years of history are displayed in this museum, which was opened by the queen in 2007.

Expand your world and experience a little royal treatment in a city where the royals still rule. www.theroyalhorseguards.com

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