For the first time, the room behind Buckingham Palace’s iconic balcony will be accessible to the public, offering a rare glimpse into a significant part of royal history. This historic room, from which the royal family has appeared during coronations, weddings, and other major events, will be open as part of a new tour of the palace’s east wing, starting next week.
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Throughout the decades, the balcony has been the backdrop for many memorable moments. Winston Churchill stood there with the royal family in 1945, celebrating the end of World War II. In 1981, it was the stage for King Charles III and Princess Diana’s wedding. More recently, King Charles and Catherine, Princess of Wales, appeared on the balcony following the king’s birthday parade.
Despite the countless images of the balcony, the room behind it has remained unseen by the public. This new tour marks the first opportunity to explore it since its creation approximately 175 years ago. The opening of the east wing has generated immense interest, with nearly 6,000 tickets sold out within hours of their release in April.
The east wing, constructed between 1847 and 1849 to accommodate Queen Victoria’s expanding family, was originally proposed by Prince Albert. He envisioned the balcony as a means for the royal family to connect with the public, a tradition that continues today.
Visitors on the tour will be taken along much of the east wing’s 73-meter principal corridor, which includes the yellow drawing room and the center room behind the balcony. These rooms reflect the early 19th-century taste of King George IV, who had a passion for Chinese-themed art.
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Notable features in the room behind the balcony include a newly restored glass chandelier designed to resemble a lotus flower and two Chinese 18th-century imperial silk wall hangings. These were gifts from Emperor Guangxu to Queen Victoria for her Diamond Jubilee in 1897. Although visitors will not be able to step onto the balcony, they will enjoy views down the Mall, the grand avenue leading to the palace, and see Jonathan Yeo’s new portrait of King Charles, painted almost entirely in red.
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This unprecedented access to the east wing and the historic room behind the balcony provides a unique opportunity to experience a part of Buckingham Palace that has long been shrouded in mystery.
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