On August 4, 2024, I had the incredible opportunity to visit the Buckingham Palace State Rooms during their summer opening. If you're in London during this period, a visit to the iconic residence of the British monarchy is a must.
Arrival and Security
I arrived at Gate C at 9:45 AM and was greeted with airport-style security checks. Bags were searched thoroughly, and while there's no dress code, luggage isn’t allowed, so you'll need to carry backpacks by hand throughout the visit. Due to security reasons, the inside photography is prohibited.
The Tour Experience
After clearing security, I was given a self-guided multimedia device, which was my companion for the day, providing interesting insights at each stop. The tour kicked off at the courtyard, where I admired the Australian State Coach, a stunning carriage used for royal ceremonies. From there, I ascended the grand staircase designed by John Nash, leading me into the heart of the palace's splendor.
Exploring the State Rooms
The State Rooms are the epitome of royal grandeur, used for official events, state banquets, and receptions. The State Rooms are the public rooms in the Palace where the monarch and members of the Royal Family receive and entertain their guests on State, ceremonial and official occasions. There are 19 State Rooms, which mainly reflect the taste of George IV, who commissioned the architect John Nash to transform Buckingham House into a grand palace in 1825. The State Rooms are furnished with many of the greatest treasures from the Royal Collection, including paintings by Van Dyck and Canaletto, sculpture by Canova, Sèvres porcelain, and some of the finest English and French furniture in the world.
Here are some of the highlights:
The Grand Entrance, Grand Hall, and Grand Staircase: Official visitors enter the Palace here, greeted by a stunning sweeping staircase that leads up to the main State Rooms. Designed by John Nash and inspired by his experience working in London theatres, the Grand Staircase provides a sense of excitement and expectation for the rooms that follow.
Full length portraits of immediate members of Queen Victoria's family decorate the upper part of the staircase. These include her grandparents George III and Queen Charlotte, by Sir William Beechey, her parents the Duke and Duchess of Kent, by George Dawe and Sir George Hayter, and her uncle, William IV, by Sir Thomas Lawrence.
The Throne Room: This iconic room, richly adorned in red and gold, features two grand thrones and is used for important events like investitures and the Diplomatic Reception. The Throne Room's dramatic arch and canopy over the thrones was the masterpiece of the architect John Nash, and was greatly influenced by his background in theatre set designs.
Central to the room is the pair of throne chairs which are known as Chairs of Estate. They were made for the coronation ceremony of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in 1953 and were also used for the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. You can also see throne chairs made for the coronation of King George V and Queen Mary in 1911, and a single throne chair made for Queen Victoria in 1837.
The White Drawing Room: An intimate and elegant space used by the Queen for small gatherings. Its gilded ceilings, chandeliers, and impressive artworks create a stunning setting.
The Ballroom: The largest of the State Rooms, used for state banquets and grand events. It boasts lavish decorations, including crimson draperies and beautiful chandeliers.
This enormous room, the largest of the State Rooms, was completed in 1855, during the reign of Queen Victoria. It was originally known as the Ball and Concert Room and features a musicians’ gallery complete with an organ. Today, the Ballroom is used for official purposes, including investitures and State Banquets.
The recently unveiled portrait of The King by Jonathan Yeo is on display in the Ballroom of Buckingham Palace as part of the summer opening of the Palace. The portrait shows His Majesty wearing the uniform of the Welsh Guards, of which he was made Regimental Colonel in 1975. The painting will ultimately hang in Drapers' Hall in London.
The Picture Gallery: This long hall houses masterpieces by artists like Rembrandt and Rubens. It's a magnificent setting for official receptions.
The Picture Gallery inside Buckingham Palace displays some of the greatest paintings in the Royal Collection. It was created by the architect John Nash as part of his transformation of Buckingham House into a palace for George IV from 1825.
The 47-metre room was designed as a setting for the King’s picture collection. The paintings in the Picture Gallery are changed quite regularly, as The King lends many works of art to exhibitions around the UK and overseas. Currently you can see Italian, Dutch and Flemish works mainly from the 17th century, grouped by subject and artistic nationality. Among the artists represented are Titian, Rembrandt, Rubens, Van Dyck and Claude.
The Picture Gallery has always been used for official entertaining. Today it is the setting for receptions hosted by the monarch and members of the Royal Family to recognise achievement in a particular walk of life or sector in the community. It is also here that the recipients of honours wait before being led into the Ballroom for their investiture.
The Music Room: Known for its beautifully painted ceiling and ornate decorations, this room is used for royal functions and intimate concerts.
Originally known as the Bow Drawing Room, the Music Room was completed in 1831 and has not been altered since. This is the room where guests, having assembled in the Green Drawing Room, are presented before a dinner or a banquet. Here too, royal babies are sometimes christened – The King was baptised here in water brought from the River Jordan.
A spectacular feature of the Music Room is the parquet floor of satinwood, rosewood, tulipwood, mahogany, holly and other woods. Inlaid with the cypher of George IV, it is a triumph of English craftsmanship and one of the finest of its type in the country.
The State Dining Room: With large windows overlooking the garden and a grand dining table, this room is used for smaller, formal dining occasions.
The Palace Gardens
The tour concludes in the beautiful Palace Gardens. I enjoyed a coffee, a vegetarian sandwich, and a blueberry muffin at the garden café. On the way out, I visited the Buckingham Palace Gift Shop and indulged in some ice cream made from Windsor dairy farms. Before leaving, you can convert your ticket into a one-year pass for unlimited visits within the year.
Cost of the Trip
Visiting Buckingham Palace is relatively affordable given the unique experience it offers. Here’s a breakdown of the costs:
Entrance Ticket: £32 if booked online, £35 if purchased on-site.
Ice Cream: £5.95.
Breakfast: Around £14 for a coffee, sandwich, and muffin.
Total Duration
The entire visit, including the tour of the State Rooms and a leisurely stroll through the gardens, took around 1.5 hours. This makes it a perfect activity to fit into a busy day of sightseeing in London.
Tips for Your Visit
Book in Advance: Tickets sell out quickly, so book through the official Royal Collection Trust website.
Check Opening Hours: The State Rooms are open from 9:45 AM to 6:30 PM, with the last entry at 4:00 PM.
Arrive Early: Visiting early helps avoid crowds and makes for a more pleasant experience.
Dress Comfortably: Wear comfortable clothes and shoes as you'll be walking and standing a lot.
No Photography Inside: Photography is prohibited inside the State Rooms, but you can take photos in the gardens and exterior areas.
Audio Guide: The included audio guide offers valuable insights and fun facts about the Palace's history and rooms.
Official Souvenir Book: Consider purchasing the official souvenir book for a detailed look at the rooms and their history, as photography isn't allowed inside.
Conclusion
Visiting the Buckingham Palace State Rooms offers a rare glimpse into the ceremonial heart of the British monarchy. From the grand Throne Room to the serene Palace Gardens, every aspect of the tour is steeped in history and elegance. For fans of "The Crown" and anyone fascinated by royal life, this is an experience not to be missed. If you find yourself in London during the summer months, be sure to add Buckingham Palace to your itinerary.
' fill='%23359391'%3e %3cpath d='M46.1538462%2c43.5714286 L41.5%2c50 L36.8461538%2c43.5714286 L36.8670256%2c43.5714286 C36.3173077%2c42.7142857 36%2c41.6851429 36%2c40.5714286 C36%2c37.4854286 38.4535641%2c35 41.5%2c35 C44.5464359%2c35 47%2c37.4854286 47%2c40.5714286 C47%2c41.6851429 46.6826923%2c42.7142857 46.1329744%2c43.5714286 L46.1538462%2c43.5714286 Z M41.4294872%2c39 C40.6150641%2c39 39.9487179%2c39.675 39.9487179%2c40.5 C39.9487179%2c41.325 40.6150641%2c42 41.4294872%2c42 C42.2439103%2c42 42.9102564%2c41.325 42.9102564%2c40.5 C42.9102564%2c39.675 42.2439103%2c39 41.4294872%2c39 L41.4294872%2c39 Z' id='Location-white'%3e%3c/path%3e %3c/g%3e %3c/svg%3e)
