Buckingham Palace to open east wing to visitors this summer- dates and ticket prices

Buckingham Palace’s newly repaired east wing will be open to visitors for the first time this summer.

Guided tours of the principal floor will be available to visitors in July and August.

The east wing includes the front façade of the historic building and features the famous central balcony, where the monarch and members of the Royal Family have gathered for public appearances during special occasions or historic moments since 1851.

The opening follows over five years of work to upgrade the building’s infrastructure, improve access and preserve it for future generations.

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Small groups of visitors will be able to visit rooms on the principal floor, with paintings by artists including Thomas Gainsborough displayed along the corridor.

The east wing was first occupied by Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and their children and is still used by the Royal Family today for official meetings and events.

Architect Edward Blore was commissioned by Queen Victoria to draw up plans for alterations to Buckingham Palace, in order to increase the accommodation for her growing family. 

Between 1847 and 1849, the east wing was added, enclosing what had previously been an open, horseshoe-shaped courtyard.

Interiors of the east wing

The build of the east wing was financed through the sale in 1850 of the Royal Pavilion, George IV’s seaside retreat in Brighton. The style of the architecture and interiors of the pavilion reflected the King's love of Asian art and design. Its contents, including finest ceramics and furniture were transferred to the east wing.

The Yellow Drawing Room has been decorated with recently restored Chinese hand-painted wallpaper from the 18th Century. It features two hexagonal, nine-tiered Chinese porcelain pagodas and the Kylin Clock, which incorporates two turquoise Chinese lions.

Tours will conclude in the Centre Room, which leads on to the balcony, where highlights include a newly restored glass chandelier, shaped to resemble a lotus flower, and two Chinese 18th-century Imperial Silk wall hangings, presented to Queen Victoria by Guangxu, Emperor of China on the occasion of her Diamond Jubilee in 1897.

Visit Buckingham Palace’s east wing

A limited number of East Wing Highlights Tours will run daily in July and August, from Monday July 15. Bookings open from April 10.

Tickets are priced at £75 per adult, £63.50 per young person and £59 for children.