Saturday, July 13, 2024 For the first time in history, 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. The balcony at Buckingham Palace has been the backdrop for many memorable moments throughout the decades.
From Winston Churchill standing with the royal family in 1945 to celebrate the end of World War II, to King Charles III and Princess Diana’s wedding in 1981, and more recently, King Charles and Catherine, Princess of Wales, appearing 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. Constructed between 1847 and 1849 to accommodate Queen Victoria’s expanding family, the east wing 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,.