Historic Room Opens to Public
For the first time ever, the public will get a rare glimpse inside the room behind Buckingham Palace’s iconic balcony next week. This room has been the backdrop for countless historic moments, including royal weddings and coronations, and has long been shrouded in mystery despite its significant role in British history.
Witness to history
The balcony has hosted numerous historical figures, from World War II leader Winston Churchill in 1945 to the wedding of King Charles III and Princess Diana in 1981. Most recently, King Charles and Catherine, Princess of Wales, appeared on the balcony for his birthday parade. Catherine’s presence garnered significant attention as it was her first public appearance since announcing her cancer treatment.
Public tours of the east wing
Visitors will now have the opportunity to tour the east wing of Buckingham Palace, which includes the room behind the balcony. The tours, a first since the wing’s creation 175 years ago, were met with high demand, with nearly 6,000 tickets sold within hours of going on sale in April.
The east wing was added between 1847 and 1849 to accommodate Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s growing family. Prince Albert envisioned the balcony as a way for the royal family to connect with the public, a tradition that continues today. Caroline de Guitaut, surveyor of the king’s works of art, highlights the wing’s historical significance, noting its use during events such as the Crimean War.
Tour highlights
The tour includes the palace’s state rooms, the yellow drawing room, and the center room behind the balcony. The yellow drawing room features a Chinese-style fireplace and wallpaper from George IV’s Brighton Pavilion. Victoria and Albert adorned the corridor with Chinese-themed art, including porcelain and pagodas. Highlights in the balcony room include a restored glass chandelier shaped like a lotus flower and Chinese imperial silk wall hangings presented to Victoria by Emperor Guangxu in 1897.
While visitors can enjoy views down the Mall, they will not be able to step onto the balcony itself. However, they will have the chance to see Jonathan Yeo’s new portrait of King Charles, painted almost entirely in red.
This rare opportunity offers a fascinating look into a historically significant and artistically rich part of Buckingham Palace.