Michael Jackson’s visit to the House of Lords June 14th 2002 and my tour of the Palace of Westminster Yesterday!

Yesterday, I was invited on a private tour of the Palace of Westminster, which is basically The UK Parliament building (The House of Commons and the House of Lords). It is a very beautiful place and has an electricity about it. Photography in most places in the buildings are prohibited but I did get a couple on the phone and to exit through the secret London underground entry/exit directly into the building … I’ll tell you about that in a minute! Another chap in a black jacket and white shirt also had a tour of the palace of Westminster and his name was Michael Jackson! It makes sense that we take a look at his visit to this historical place, while we’re at it. He apparently got a moonwalk in … and so did I.

Michael Jackson’s visit to the Houses of Parliament

Michael Jackson visited the Houses of Parliament on June 14th 2002. He was accompanied by the magicians, David Blaine and Uri Geller. His entourage included Karen Faye, doing his hair and make up and security.

Michael was met by Lord Janner of Braunstone and they had quite a fun chat, whist the cameras rolled. They were also at the UK Parliament building to meet and celebrate the birthday of Lord Paul Boateng, who was the first black cabinet minister. Reuters/Uri Geller.com reported that Lord Tanner said of the visit: “Uri is a great friend of mine” … and asked whether I could arrange this for him because Michael wanted to see the Palace of Westminster,” Janner said. “I think this is great fun, a marvelous occasion, totally unique.”

Michael Jackson spoke to the press before he went inside

Michael stood on the steps of the building and had a brief chat with the press. He was very curious about none other than the Gunpowder Plot and Guy Fawkes! Michael didn’t understand why the Gunpowder Plot and Guy Fawkes were celebrated every year … he certainly seemed very interested and it was for Lord Janner to explain that they celebrate because he didn’t succeed

Another way to look at it, which Michael Jackson may not have realised at the time, is that they DO celebrate that one of the men who tried to blow up the building along with King James, was hung up on a rope, brought down and had a sharp blade run through his body, up and down and his body distributed in four equal quarters to each corner of the Kingdom! (although, he did jump from the scaffold so he died quicker and wasn’t alive when the blade went through him … nevertheless, a solid reason to celebrate every year to a job, although not well done, was done, I guess!

What did Michael say?

When Michael arrived and was sitting in the car he said that there “might be a problem …” and put his hand over his head to indicate the sunlight and the uncovered area, and Uri Geller responded, no problem, “we are going straight in”. He then asked Lord Janner (who is a very amusing chap), to take them “straight in”, to which Janner repeated in an almost comedic way.

He then said he “would need the umbrella”.

A member of the press then asked Michael “Why did you want to come and visit Parliament?”, to which Michael replied, “To visit my wonderful friend, Lord Janner”. This prompted everybody to start laughing and Lord Tanner to add, “He’s a politician as well!”

Michael also added “… and to educate me about this whole incredible thing”.

Then Michael started asking about Guy Fawkes and how he blew up parliament. Geller noted that Michael probably knew more than most about the man … although, I think the King of Pop needed to read “The Gunpowder Plot” for a refresher!

Michael then asked Janner, “Why is that a celebration?” (He’s talking about November 5th,Bonfire night if you’re History isn’t up to scratch, by the way!

To which Lord Janner explains!

Then a reporter asks Michael “What are you hoping to see here?” to which Michael responded “Gee, I don’t know, I haven’t been in yet”.

The conversation then turned to football, to which Michael didn’t have a clue what she was talking about and said “I know nothing about it”. Michael then asked whether she meant “Soccer?”, to which he again said he doesn’t have a clue or know anything about it.

And off they went inside. On the way out Michael was joined by Lord Paul Boateng, “Paul Boateng’s birthday party, that’s what this is all about”, said Janner to which Boateng replied “The most incredible surprise! This is the most fantastic birthday present ever, I can’t believe that I’m with the most famous musician, the most famous magicians in the world and a great friend… Absolutely incredible”.

Michael was finally asked, “How was the Houses of Parliament?” to which Michael replied “Lovely. Art, especially”. I have to say that this is what I was taken aback by, the beauty, the art the architecture and size of the place.

Michael Jackson at the Houses of Parliament (video)

My tour of the Palace of Westminster

I was very impressed by the beauty of this building. It is really a collection of buildings and it really is massive and it really is a maze! The House of Lords and the Hose of Parliament are intertwined so you will often find yourself in one building or the other without really noticing.

The way to tell if you are in the House of Parliament is that the carpet is GREEN. The carpet in the House of Lords is RED. I found my self in a room behind the debating chamber of the Lords which wasn’t green or red but kind of blue, to which I was told that I was in a chamber that only the Lords can be in (when in session), so that they can have confidential discussions.

You really get a sense of history and of power and of England in this place.

Ancient books, cover the corridors and The Times newspapers (which is the traditionally newspaper of the commons) is bound in books along one corridor, with every copy ever printed, going back to the 18th century.

House of Commons Chamber

The only thing that I didn’t get to see was the debating chamber of parliament – I did get to see the Lords debating chamber and the gold throne for the Queen. Apparently Michael, wanted the throne and I have to say, so do I! Very beautiful.

Royal Gallery

My favourite part of the building was the Royal Gallery (there is an official picture above), the painting are massive and it is just amazing.

I didn’t see the PM anywhere but this place is a working place and you pass lot’s of politics and Lords who you recognise. I had a great lunch and a great day.

I was very curious about something though – the secret entrance!

When you are leaving Westminster London Underground Station, exit 3 you may notice on your right hand side there is a dark revolving door. It is a secret door! When I arrived, I asked whether I could come back through that exit and we did indeed and I got a little picture on the way out. So now you know what is on the other side of that revolving door! It is a direct access to the Palace of Westminster!

I did my Moonwalk

I did get a moonwalk in, just like Michael Jackson did when he visited and it was quite a laugh!

Finally, Michael Jackson’s first visit to Westminster in 1988?

I think that Michael Jackson actually visited the Houses of Parliament in 1988 when he was on his Bad tour. There is footage and it is hard to tell the exact location but it does look like Michael went to a private event outside, or around the back of the parliament building. He was presented a sword and a marching band played “Billie Jean” for him, to which he burst out laughing.

So that is that for today … I hope you enjoyed!

By Anthony King (c)

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P.S There is a picture above from the UK parliament website which you can visit here

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