California's Adaeze is London's 'official guest of honor'

The lucky winner of a worldwide search to find London's official guest of honor is a 24-year-old primary school teacher from California.

As part of a promotion supported by the British capital, Adaeze Uyanwah, from Palmdale, will enjoy once-in-a-lifetime experiences including exploring London's Science Museum with the world-renowned theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking. She will also be shown around the world-famous Royal Opera House by Spanish tenor Plácido Domingo and British ballerina Darcey Bussell.

Uyanwah, who is also a freelance writer, has visited London before, twice when she was a child, and again when she was 18. "I remember everything was gray and green," she said of her childhood memories.

"I remember screaming, I think I cried," she said of the moment she heard she had won. "I was so excited I couldn't believe it."

"I absolutely love London," she told Paste BN. "There's so much to do, it's so diverse and has so much character. It has an energy and a buzz that I haven't found in any other place. There are so many iconic sights and buildings, it feels as if you're walking through history."

In her application video, Uyanwah described her perfect day in the city, starting with waking up at Buckingham Palace, before heading out to see "what people really love" about the city.

"This is the ultimate tourist experience," said Chris Gottlieb, chief marketing and communications officer for the organizers, London & Partners — mayor Boris Johnson's promotional company — and VisitLondon.com. "Adaeze will be experiencing so many of the wonderful attractions London has to offer."

He said more than 10,000 people had applied, most of them from the United States, along with hopefuls from France, Germany, Italy, Australia and other parts of the United Kingdom.

"A love of London," enthusiasm and creativity were criteria the judges were looking for, Gottlieb said.

Uyanwah, who spent a year studying at the University of Sheffield in northern England in 2008, was "so passionate about London," he added.

Nearly 13.5 million trips were made to the city by international tourists between January and September last year, a 6% increase from 2013's figures, London & Partners said. Tourists spent $14 billion, a 6.5% rise from 2013, it added.

Uyanwah will be taking her mother with her on the two-week trip, which kicks off early next month.

"I'm really excited, I can't believe it," she said. "I feel incredibly lucky to have this opportunity and I'm so grateful."

Among the experiences Uyanwah will have are:

• A behind-the-scenes tour at the Houses of Parliament by MP John Bercow, the speaker of the House of Commons.

• Firing the guns from the former Royal Navy cruiser HMS Belfast, now a museum ship moored in the River Thames.

• Walking the red carpet at a central London film premiere.

• A meal cooked by Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton at his flagship restaurant.

• Afternoon tea at Lord's Cricket Ground with Mr. Carson, the butler from Downton Abbey, played by actor Jim Carter.

• Meeting former British tennis No. 1 Tim Henman for a VIP tour of the All England Tennis Club, which hosts the Wimbledon Championships.

• Being a keeper for the day at London Zoo.

• Getting an all-access pass to London's Oxford Street, Europe's busiest shopping street, including an $8,000 shopping spree.

Uyanwah was originally set to see a West End theater show with best-selling singer-songwriter Jessie J, who unfortunately had to pull out, the organizers said.