CANADA HOUSE AND THE AMERICAN EMBASSY

---

Canada House

 On February 19th, 2015, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip reopened Canada House after a refurbishment.  This followed the sale of McDonald House, a Canadian property and offices, and the amalgamation of the two buildings.  Each province and territory is represented with its own room in Canada House.  The rooms are decorated with furnishings and artwork by artisans from each jurisdiction.  Visiting Canadians can come here.  In the Spring of 2015, following the reopening, free tours were being conducted which I went on during my most recent visit to the UK in May 2015. This is where the present High Commissioner for Canada  (Gordon Campbell) works from and where Canadians in the UK can get consular and passport services.  It was also here a few years ago that I found applications for the Queen’s Garden Parties that she holds in June at Buckingham Palace when I went to apply for a new passport.  I filled one out and received an invitation in the mail.  That was a fabulous event – one to get your good frock and hat out for and you can get quite close to the Queen.  The food was good too!

 
The American Embassy

 The Ambassador of the United States of America to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is Matthew Barzun.  He was previously the Ambassador to Sweden.  His residence is Winfield House in Regent’s Park, London.  The American Embassy is situated at 24 Grosvenor Square, London. There is a U.S. Consulate General in Edinburgh, Scotland and in Belfast, Northern Ireland.  In Cardiff there is the American Embassy Welsh Affairs office.  Information about visas from the UK to the United States as well as passport and consular services can be obtained at any of the above offices.

The present American Embassy has been in Grosvenor Square since 1937.  During the war it was affectionately known as Eisenhower Platz or Little America.  Whereas this Embassy is in central London, a new one is being built at 9 Elms in the Wandsworth area of London.   The new building will feature much glass and will be higher than many buildings in the UK. The Americans will be on the move sometime in 2017.