This summer, the east wing of Buckingham Palace will open to the public for the first time.
The East Wing forms the front of Buckingham Palace, meaning the general public gets the chance to see the famous balcony where members of the Royal Family greet crowds during anniversaries, coronations and other ceremonies. Previously, only the State Rooms were open to the public.
The opening of the East Wing comes after five years of work, part of a wider renovation program across the palace, designed to modernize the building's infrastructure, improve access and preserve its treasures for future generations. The introduction of East Wing tours comes as Scotland's Balmoral Estate announced inland tours for the first time.
The new Buckingham Palace tours take place from mid-July to the end of September. Only a small number of tickets will go on sale, but royal fans can increase their chances of getting them by signing up to an exclusive (free) mailing list.
Here's everything you need to know about visiting the East Wing of Buckingham Palace this summer, plus information about other ways to explore the royal residence, including the State Rooms, the Royal Mews and the King's Gallery.
What can you see during the tour?
The East Wing of Buckingham Palace is the front part of the building, as viewed from the main entrance, and includes the famous balcony where members of the Royal Family have appeared for special occasions since 1851.
Led by a guide, visitors learn about the history of the East Wing, which was commissioned by Queen Victoria to make room for her growing family; previously the plot was a horseshoe-shaped courtyard. The construction of the East Wing was financed by the sale of George IV's Royal Pavilion in Brighton in 1850, after which some of the Chinese-inspired furnishings and decorations were transferred to the new wing.
The tour takes visitors to rooms on the main floor, including the main corridor, which runs the length of the wing. Many works of art and antiques from the Royal Collection adorn the rooms, including paintings by Thomas Gainsborough and Sir Thomas Lawrence. There is also a spectacular painting by John Charlton showing Queen Victoria arriving at St Paul's Cathedral during her Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
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In the Yellow Drawing Room, decorated with restored hand-painted Chinese wallpaper from the 18th century, visitors can view beautiful details, including the Kylin Clock, with two Chinese lions, and two hexagonal nine-tiered porcelain pagodas.
The tour ends in the Center Room, which leads to the famous balcony where some of the most iconic royal photos were taken. The room contains two Chinese 18th-century imperial silk tapestries, given to Queen Victoria by Guangxu, Emperor of China, on the occasion of her Diamond Jubilee, plus a recently restored glass chandelier in the shape of a lotus flower and a set of beautiful Chinese porcelain . vases.
What happens on a State Rooms tour?
The State Rooms are the public areas of the palace where the royal family receives guests during state or ceremonial occasions. There are a total of 19 rooms with treasures from the Royal Collection, beautiful English and French furniture and works of art by Van Dyck and Canaletto. Visitors can wander through these rooms - including the White Drawing Room (the royal reception room), the Throne Room (the work of architect John Nash) and the Ballroom, where state banquets take place - on a self-guided tour.
Visitors to the State Rooms can purchase a combined ticket that includes the highlights of the Palace Gardens (described as a "walled oasis in the middle of London"), led by an expert director.
When do the East Wing tours take place?
Self-guided tours of the State Rooms of Buckingham Palace take place from July 11 to September 29. The East Wing Highlights Tours start from July 15. For the first time since 2019, Buckingham Palace will be open to visitors seven days a week in July and August, but only five days a week (Thursday to Monday) in September.
How do I book tickets for Buckingham Palace?
Tickets for the East Wing Highlights Tours go on general sale on April 10. However, subscribers to the Royal Collection Trust newsletter will receive priority tickets 24 hours before the general sale on April 9; You can subscribe to the mailing list here.
Entry to the State Rooms costs £32 in advance or £35 on the day. A combined ticket for State Rooms and Garden costs £47 or £50 on the day. The East Wing Highlights Tour must be purchased in addition to a visit to the State Rooms and costs a total of £75 for adults. You can book tickets on the Royal Collection Trust website.
Other things to see at Buckingham Palace
One of the most popular (free) royal attractions in London is the Changing of the Guard, also known as the Guard Mounting, which takes place outside Buckingham Palace every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from 10.45am and lasts 45 minutes.
You can also visit the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace (£17 for adults). Here you can witness what happens behind the scenes of the working stables and get up close to the 260-year-old Gold State Coach, which was used during anniversary and coronation ceremonies.
The King's Gallery (formerly the Queen's Gallery) has changing exhibitions from the Royal Collection (£19 for adults); the current exhibition is Holbein at the Tudor courtwhich ends on April 14. The next exhibition, Royal portraits: a century of photography starts on May 17 and charts the evolution of royal portrait photography since the 1920s.
Where to stay nearby
There is a whole host of top class hotels within a mile of Buckingham Palace. The choice is of course The Goring, where Catherine, Princess of Wales and her family stayed the night before the royal wedding in 2011. A fleet of footmen provide a butler service for suites, and all rooms come with free DIY cocktail making - much more fun than boring old Champagne (rooms from £623).
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