FIT FOR ROYALTY
Inside Buckingham Palace’s exclusive East Wing set to open to public for first time
Step inside history with an expert tour guide on this wonderful royal adventure
ROYAL fans can take an exclusive tour of Buckingham Palace's legendary East Wing for the FIRST time ever.
The Royal Family have celebrated momentous occasions in the same rooms since 1851.
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Now, the Palace is offering tourists the opportunity to take a look inside the East Wing this summer.
An expert guide will show visitors around the famous State Rooms as part of the exciting 45-minute package.
Fans can also see the masterpieces from the exquisite Royal Collection and the Centre Room.
Visitors can also view the room which leads onto the iconic balcony first stood on by Queen Victoria.
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But, you'll have to act fast, with only 20 people allowed on each tour at one time.
East Wing Tour
- Next event: Monday, 15 Jul 2024
Daily (Monday, 15 Jul 2024 - Saturday, 31 Aug 2024) - Selected times from 9.30am - 1.30pm
- Adult £75.00
Young Person (18-24) £63.50
Child (5-17) £59.00
Disabled £59.00
Access companion Free
Under 5 Free
CREATING THE EAST WING
The main rooms of the East Wing are donned with oriental furnishings and hold the Royal Collection artwork.
Pieces were re-homed in the palace after originally decorating George IV's Royal Pavilion in Brighton.
The East Wing was added to the palace in 1849, for Queen Victoria and her family.
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She moved into the lavish estate after the death of her uncle William IV. Before then Buckingham Palace had never been used as a monarch's residence.
Edward Blore designed the new wing, which started out as a courtyard, and it was funded by the sale of the Royal Pavilion.
King Charles to let tourists inside Highland home where Queen died for first time
The architect is hailed for his crafting of the now famous central balcony - which was suggested by Prince Albert.
It is now considered one of the most valuable parts of the Palace as it symbolises the connection between the monarchy and the public.
DESIGNING THE EAST WING
As mentioned previously, the East Wing boasts a Chinese-theme decor, which was inspired by the Royal Pavilion.
This stemmed from George IV's love for the culture and its artefacts.
The wing includes the Yellow Drawing Room, the Principal Corridor and the Centre Room
It comes as tourists are also being offered a tour of the royal rooms at the home where Queen Elizabeth II died in an historic first.
King Charles is allowing visitors inside Balmoral Castle near Ballater, Aberdeenshire, for the first time ever - costing £150 with afternoon tea.
It is the first time that royal fans have been allowed into rooms used by the Royal Family.
Sources have previously claimed the King wants to extend the opening of royal homes - including Buckingham Palace - to make more money.
Previously paying guests have only been allowed in Balmoral's ballroom.
Balmoral announced guests 'can see a selection of rooms within the Castle that are used by Their Majesties The King and Queen and other members of the Royal Family'.
The rooms are expected to include the Drawing Room where the late Queen was last pictured with ex-PM Liz Truss.
But the bedroom where the Queen died is expected to be off limits.
Only 40 tickets will be issued each day and come at a hefty price costing £100 each and £150 if an afternoon tea is included.
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It is described as an "adult only experience".
Tickets are available from July 1 till August 4
History of Balmoral
By Sofia Petkar and Catherine Micallef
BALMORAL CASTLE was privately bought by Prince Albert and is one of the Royal Family's favourite getaway spots.
Balmoral Castle is a large estate house in Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, near the village of Crathie.
The vast property is situated 6.2 miles west of Ballater and 6.8 miles east of Braemar.
The estate and castle are privately owned by the Royal Family and are not the property of the Crown.
The existing house on site was found to be too small, so the royals purchased the estate in 1852.
In its place, the construction of the current Balmoral Castle was commissioned.
William Smith of Aberdeen was the architecht, although his designs were amended by Prince Albert.
Balmoral is a working estate, including grouse moors, forestry, and farmland, as well as managed herds of deer, Highland cattle, and ponies.
Balmoral Castle, of all the royals' properties, was referred to as the Queen's favourite home where in summer, members of the Royal Family would meet and enjoy various activities together.
They range from fishing, hunting, picnicking and barbecuing while getting together with some of the royals which they might haven't seen in a long time.
The Queen had often been seen riding horses or driving her beloved Range Rover over the estate’s rugged terrain.
In 2022, Her Majesty arrived at Balmoral in July, after the Platinum Jubilee celebrations held in London.
Later on September 8, Queen Elizabeth II passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones in Balmoral.
It is not used much now that the Queen passed away.
The castle gardens were first opened to the public in 1931.
Balmoral Castle is open to the public every day from April to July, while no members of the Royal Family are there.
Opening times are from 10am till 5pm, with the last recommended admissions at 4pm.
The ballroom is the only room within the castle that may be viewed by the public, the rest are the Queen's private rooms.
It is also possible to book a short stay at several of the guest cottages on the grounds.
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