Buckingham Palace opens famous balcony room to the public

The balcony is probably one of the most famous features of Buckingham Palace. It has been used by queens and kings to greet the public during official functions since 1851. However, until now, the public has never had the opportunity to view the space behind the famous balcony.

This summer, Buckingham Palace will reopen to visitors and, for the first time in its history, the East Wing will be accessible. This wing includes the Central Room, also known as the room behind the balcony. However, the balcony itself will not be open.

“This room was part of the extension to the east wing created by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. And it was Prince Albert who suggested the balcony,” Nicola Turner Inman, curator of decorative arts at the Royal Collection Trust, told Reuters. “It was first used in 1851 to see off troops for the Crimean War. So it’s been in use for quite a long time.”

The reason the East Wing is open to visitors is because of its recent restoration. Work on the building has been going on for five years and includes upgrading the electrical wiring, plumbing and heating – with a budget of £369 million. Until the end of August, tourists and curious Brits alike can book a tour of the East Wing to take a look at all that has been done.

In addition to the Central Room, the wing contains the Yellow Drawing Room and the Main Corridor. Many of the rooms are decorated in the Chinese style and contain pieces from the Royal Collection originally held in the Royal Pavilion in Brighton. Some of the main pieces are the Chinese Imperial Silk Tapestries given to Queen Victoria and works of art from 18^th The British painter of the century, Thomas Gainsborough.

“Led by an expert guide, the East Wing Highlights Tour takes you through the main rooms of the wing and you will discover the rooms behind the building’s famous façade. You will see exquisite works from the Royal Collection and visit the Centre Room, which leads onto the palace balcony first used by Queen Victoria. After your tour, which lasts around 45 minutes, you will join the self-guided tour of the State Rooms. At the end of your visit you can visit the Garden Café and Garden Shop,” explains the Royal Collection Trust.

Unfortunately, tickets for the East Wing are already sold out. Unless new tickets become available, fans of the British royals will have to wait until next summer to visit the recently renovated part of Buckingham Palace.