Buckingham Palace Opens The Room With The Famous Balcony To Visitors
This summer, visitors to Buckingham Palace will get an exclusive chance to see behind the scenes of the royal family's iconic balcony moments.
For the first time, the East Wing, including the Centre Room where royals gather before stepping onto the balcony, will be open to the public. Guests won’t be allowed on the balcony itself for safety reasons, but they can enjoy the view down The Mall through the famous net curtains.
According to Caroline de Guitaut,surveyor of the King’s works of art, it was Prince Albert who suggested the balcony to help the royal family connect with the public, a tradition that continues today.
The Centre Room, which has been closed to the public for 175 years, is rich in history and Chinese-themed decor. The work included removing and conserving over 3,500 items and restoring features like the 19th-century lotus flower chandelier. Nicola Turner Inman from the Royal Collection Trust highlighted the historical significance of the room, noting that the balcony was first used in 1851 during the Crimean War.
Visitors can also explore the Yellow Drawing Room, showcasing 18th-century Chinese wallpaper and a Kylin clock.
Tours aim to make royal residences more accessible to the public
The renovations are part of the ongoing Buckingham Palace reservicing programme, a renovation project that is currently on its fifth year of work. The programme is set to cost £369m and not only involves the renovation and conservation of 3,500 items in the East Wing, but also the plumbing and wiring of the historic building.
The guided tour includes access to the 240ft-long Principal Corridor, adorned with artworks and historical pieces, offering a rare glimpse into the royal lifestyle. It is separate from the more general tour of the palace’s state room.
The introduction of the tours marks a broader effort to make royal residences more accessible to the public. The 6,000 tickets for this new tour, priced at £75, sold out quickly after their release, so anyone who hasn’t got a ticket already will have to wait until next year.
