For the first time, portions of Balmoral Castle and Buckingham Palace will be open to visitors. Have you ever imagined yourself standing on Buckingham Palace’s balcony and waving to throngs of people like a royal? And if so, now’s the moment!
The Royal Collection Trust said on Wednesday that guided public tours of the palace’s East Wing, which houses the famous balcony, will be available in July and August. Visitors will have the chance to see previously undiscovered rooms on the Principal Floor decorated with sumptuous artwork from the Royal Collection, even though they won’t get to stand on the balcony itself—the location of many notable royal moments since 1851, including King Charles’ coronation in 2023.
They will also have the opportunity to learn about the wing’s past, which began when Queen Victoria and her family lived there. The last stop on the tour will be the Center Room, which opens onto the famous balcony.
The ancient wing, which was first designed by Queen Victoria to house her “growing family,” has not been open to the public since it was converted into a horseshoe-shaped courtyard in 1847 to 1849. But the decision to open it now, after more than five years of renovations under Buckingham Palace’s Reservicing Program, aims to modernize the building’s infrastructure, improve accessibility, and preserve it for future generations.
Not only will the East Wing opening this summer, but Balmoral Castle, the Royal Family’s Scottish estate, is also starting guided indoor tours for the first time since it was finished in 1855. Through a series of rooms, visitors will learn about the history of the castle, its revered status among succeeding royal dynasties, and its current use.
Particular significance attaches to Balmoral Castle, which is well-known as one of Queen Elizabeth’s preferred getaways. The Queen became the first monarch to pass away at the estate in 2022 while on holiday there, dying in September.
From July 1 to August 4, tours of Balmoral Castle are available; several of these dates are already booked up. There are still general admission tickets available, though, which include a tour of the grounds and displays. Tickets for the East Wing are not included with the normal State Room ticket and must be purchased individually. Starting in July and running through September, the Palace will be open for tours seven days a week, instead of its typical schedule of five days. After that, it will resume regular operations.
In the past, excursions mostly covered the grounds and gardens, with the castle’s ballroom only being partially accessible. On the other hand, guided tours will be available within “several of the beautiful rooms” from July 1 through August 4th, according to the castle’s website. There are only 40 tickets available each day, and they are priced at £100 or £150 (afternoon tea included). These will go fast.
Before King Charles III and Queen Camilla usually arrive for the monarch’s summer retreat at the estate, the excursions will come to an end in early August.
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