Kingston upon Thames is the principal settlement of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames in southwest London (until 1965 within Surrey). It was the ancient market town where Saxon kings were crowned and is now a suburb situated 10 miles (16.1 km) south west of Charing Cross. It is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the London Plan.[1] Though it now lies outside the borders of the County of Surrey, Kingston remains the location of the administrative headquarters of Surrey County Council.