If you find yourself in England and have a few pounds to spare, you can peak into the East Wing of the lush and royal Buckingham Palace, Westminster, London. Visitors can tour the east wing for the first time in British history, peek out the windows, see the mall, and more. Here’s what to expect.
Visitors Are Welcome
This summer, his Majesty King Charles III welcomed visitors to the west wing of the Royal Palace. Visitors can tour the spectacular interiors, with the centre room as one of the main attractions.
An Almost Royal View
Visitors will get a view of the grounds below, which features the mall in the distance. It may not be the actual balcony; still, visitors will experience an almost “royal eye’s view,” from the windows of the centre room.
A One-Of-A-Kind Experience
Visitors can imagine stepping down the same passageways and corridors the royal family enjoys when entertaining guests. The 19 state palace rooms are for the public, and guests are entertained there.
The Centre Room
The centre room of the east wing is one of the palace’s rooms and the last point before the royals make their appearance on the balcony.
An Addition to a Growing Family
Harper’s Bazaar reported that the centre room was initially built to accommodate the late Queen Victoria’s expanding family during the 1840s. She was also the first queen to reside in Buckingham Palace.
The Famous Balcony
The balcony is one of the most iconic features of Buckingham Palace. For centuries, it has been a focal point where royal members could see their subjects and watch royal events like Trooping the Colour.
The Balcony’s Official Use
In 1851, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert started using the balcony to view the crowds below. One of the first events was the queen waving to the troops heading off to the Crimean War, and upon their return, she welcomed them from the palace balcony with a royal wave.
How Did the Balcony Become Part of the Palace?
The surveyor of the King’s works of art, Caroline de Guitaut, told Harpers Bazaar that Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s husband, suggested the balcony feature. Prior to the prince’s suggestion, the palace didn’t have one.
Connect With the People
Guitaut said the Prince advised that the balcony was a good way for the royal members to connect with the people.
Greetings From the Balcony
Stepping out and greeting their royal subjects from the balcony brought a personal approach to the occasion.
Used to This Day
Today, the royals still use the balcony for appearances for special events features.
The Balcony and Royal Wedding Kisses
Brides.com published a piece noting that King Charles III and the late Princess Diana were the first royal pair to kiss on the balcony.
Breaking Royal Protocol
The then Prince Charles “broke royal protocol” when he kissed his new bride in front of the crowd of royal subjects on the balcony. It’s now become part of the royal wedding tradition.
The Centre Room Features
The centre room is known for its Victorian decor. The space is said to be adorned with a glass lotus-shaped chandelier and 18th-century Imperial Chinese silk wall hangings. Emperor Guangxu of China gifted the silk wall hangings to Queen Victoria in 1897 for her Diamond Jubilee.
Buckingham Palace State Room Tours and East Wing
The palace offers state room tours showcasing the throne room, drawing room, and many other ornate and regal rooms. The principal corridor flows and stretches across the entire wing.
Palace Exclusive Evening Tour
The palace tour will also feature the 19 state rooms of the east wing, which are open to the family and used to entertain guests in Buckingham.
Refreshed and Renewed
Before opening the east wing to the public, Harpars Bazaar reported that the palace section underwent some maintenance work, including replacing plumbing, electrical, and other elements to renew what had already been there.
Renovations Amount to Millions
According to reports, the renovations to improve the east wing cost an estimated £369 million. Thousands of tickets to Buckingham Palace were sold out within the first few hours—an estimated 6000 tickets were sold at £79.
Tickets Available
The public can book tickets on the Royal Collection Trust website. Guests are advised to book their tickets early as they sell out quickly.
Minimum People at a Time
The Guardian reported that only 20 persons are allowed at a time per tour.
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