Buckingham Palace Opens the Room Behind Its Iconic Balcony to the Public

Image Credit: Tatler

Buckingham Palace’s renowned balcony room, where the royal family gathers to greet the public on significant occasions, is now accessible to the public for the first time. This unprecedented opportunity allows royal enthusiasts to experience a part of the palace previously reserved for the monarchy.

For many royal fans who have spent hours on The Mall in central London, hoping to catch a glimpse of the royal family during events like Trooping the Colour, this new tour offers a rare chance to see the world from the royal family’s vantage point. However, visitors will not be able to step onto the balcony itself and will have to be content with peering through the net curtains.

The guided tours, lasting 45 minutes and available from July 15 to August 31, have already sold out despite the hefty price of £75 (around $97). These tours come after over five years of extensive renovations to the East Wing of Buckingham Palace, aimed at preserving and improving access to the historic building for future generations, as stated by the Royal Collection Trust.

“Be one of the first visitors to enjoy an exclusive guided tour of the highlights of the East Wing of Buckingham Palace,” the Royal Collection Trust advertises on its website, promising visitors a glimpse into the “spaces beyond the famous façade” of the palace.

The Centre Room, officially known as the room behind the balcony, is expected to be the highlight of the guided tour. Recently, Catherine, Princess of Wales, made her first public appearance on this balcony since her cancer diagnosis, joining other royals to celebrate the King’s official birthday.

Inside the Centre Room, visitors will see a lotus flower-shaped glass chandelier and two 18th-century Chinese silk wall hangings, gifts from the Emperor of China to Queen Victoria for her Diamond Jubilee in 1897. The Yellow Drawing Room will also feature hand-painted Chinese wallpaper from the 18th century and two Chinese porcelain pagodas.

Additionally, the tour includes a walk down the wing’s main corridor, where visitors can admire works by renowned painters such as Thomas Gainsborough, Thomas Lawrence, and Franz Xaver Winterhalter.

The influence of Asian art on the East Wing’s interior design and displays can be traced back to 1850. This period saw the sale of the Brighton Pavilion, a seaside residence owned by George IV, Queen Victoria’s uncle, to fund the construction of the new royal wing. George IV’s extensive collection of Asian art and ceramics was transferred to Buckingham Palace, where it remains to this day.

Following their marriage in 1840, Victoria and Prince Albert were the first royals to use Buckingham Palace as a family home. The East Wing was constructed between 1847 and 1849 to accommodate their expanding family.

Buckingham Palace serves primarily as the venue for official meetings and events. Recently, Britain’s new prime minister, Keir Starmer, met with King Charles III at the palace, where the King formally asked him to form a new government.

The East Wing’s refurbishment is part of a broader and more costly renovation of Buckingham Palace, expected to take 10 years. The extensive renovation work has included lifting floorboards, installing new elevators, and temporarily removing thousands of artworks and artifacts to facilitate restoration.

The renovation program, with a budget of £369 million ($478 million), has significantly impacted royal finances. Official figures indicate that the royal household spent more than it earned in 2022-23, partly due to the “significant” renovation work at the palace.

While the East Wing tours are fully booked for the summer, those still eager to visit Buckingham Palace can purchase tickets for the state rooms tour, which runs seven days a week until September 29. Advance tickets for the state rooms tour cost £32 ($41) for adults and £16 ($21) for children aged 5 to 17.

This new public access to the Centre Room and other parts of the East Wing provides a unique insight into the life and history of the British monarchy, allowing visitors to connect with the rich heritage of Buckingham Palace.

This initiative marks a significant moment for royal enthusiasts and history buffs alike, offering a rare glimpse into the private world of the British royal family and the opulent surroundings they call home.

This story was originally featured on CNN