Buckingham Palace has been home to English royalty since the 1800s. With 775 rooms, it's the very place Queen Elizabeth II grew up and sleeps at night. Today, Buckingham Palace is still one of the very important places the queen calls home, but it's also the administrative headquarters for political matters. Tourists traveling to London revolve their travel plans to include matters of the queen, and Buckingham Palace cannot be missed.
As a tourist visiting London for the first time, rookie moves are made all the time, and Buckingham Palace may seem farther away than expected. With a massive gate more than one entrance, it's hard to take the perfect picture or see the pure beauty that Buckingham Palace offers. Luckily for UK fans, Buckingham Palace opens its gates—typically around late July to early October—for summer tours. Sadly, the Coronavirus has put a stop to all 2020 tours but this article can offer more insight for those looking to tour Buckingham Palace in 2021.
10 First Thing's First: Book The Right Tour
There are plenty of royal history-themed tours in London, and rightfully so, but there's nothing like seeing Buckingham Palace with your own eyes.
Once travelers figure out the unwritten rules and customs of the London Tube and make their way to Buckingham Palace, they can choose "standard tours" or tours that include other legendary sights like Windsor Castle or seeing the Royal Mews. With so much to see and do, make sure you're getting exactly what you're seeking.
9 You'll Be Led By A True Professional
It would be thrilling to do a self-guided tour of Buckingham Palace but let's be real, this is the home of the Queen of England! All tours are professionally led by a knowledgable tour guide. Audio-guides are also available for those seeking a more private approach. The tour guide will take tourists through all the rooms available on the tour (keep scrolling to see which rooms) and give a lesson on Buckingham Palace's and the queen's history.
8 How Long Will The Tour Last?
If travelers are visiting London for the first time, it's imperative that they wear comfortable walking shoes. London is a vast city with monuments to see at different ends. A lot of walking will be taking place, and it's better to be comfortable than in pain. The same can be said for this special tour. The website notes that the tour will take around two and a half hours to complete. While visiting something as special as Buckingham Palace, you won't want to rush.
7 What Rooms Will Be Shown?
With over 770 rooms, saying that Buckingham Palace is "massive" is an understatement. Filled with culture, art, and the finest of decor, tourists will be guided through 19 different State Rooms. These State Rooms are places where the royal family holds official functions and dinners. Sadly, tourists are unable to take pictures of the State Rooms, but with so many beautiful details in every room, tourists will want to soak in every inch without a lense.
6 Pose By The Grand Stair Case
A staircase doesn't seem super cool at first for some tourists, but the Grand Staircase at Buckingham Palace is a sight to see. When walking into Buckingham Palace, the Grand Staircase is one of the first things a tourist will see. It's the 'welcome to London' sign tourists didn't know they needed. Portraits of royal family members and their guests have been taken on these stairs for centuries, and tourists will get to see it themselves. Sadly, no photos are allowed to be taken on or in front of the stairs.
5 See The Very Backdrop Where Royals Take Their Offical Photos
Not only will tourists be able to see 19 different State Rooms where the queen wines and dines her guests, but they'll be able to see the royal Throne Room. The Throne Room is incredibly iconic because it's where all the royals take their official wedding photos.
Looking back to Prince William and Kate or even Prince Harry and Meghan, all their first photos from their wedding are done in the Throne Room. Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip, also had their royal portraits done in the Throne Room, as did her parents.
4 You'll See More Than The Inside Of Buckingham
Seeing the State Rooms of Buckingham Palace is pretty magical, but so are the physical grounds Buckingham Palace resides on. The gardens and green spaces Buckingham Palace is on are so immaculate, they deserve a tour of their own.
Tours will also be shown St. James's Park — the 57-acre park right outside of Buckingham Palace. With gorgeous paths, flower beds, and trees, St. James Park is one of the Royal Parks and is home to the Horse Guards Parade.
3 Is Visiting Buckingham Palace Expensive?
To be surrounded by royal artwork and to see the rooms and halls that the queen frequents is beyond memorable. For a two and a half hour tour, prices vary depending on age. Children ranging who are 5 years old or young are free, those under 17 years of age are £14.50 (or around $17.50USD), students are £24.00 (or around $29.00USD), and adults are £26.50 (or around $31.50USD). Those traveling in groups can save by looking into group tickets.
2 A Virtual Prince Charles Makes An Appearance
As if seeing the Royal Gardens, State Rooms, Throne Room, and Grand Staircase wasn't legendary enough, tours will also watch a multimedia tour introduced by none other than Prince Charles himself.
Prince Charles is the firstborn of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. When the queen passes on or gives up her duty as queen, Prince Charles will then become King of England. As England's future king, seeing a special welcome from him to his childhood home is a once-in-a-lifetime moment for guests.
1 No, The Queen Won't Be There
As amazing as it would be to wander the Buckingham Palace with hopes of seeing the queen, those chances are slim to none. The summer tours take place when the queen is not on the grounds. It's been said that in the summer months, the Queen of England likes to spend her time at Balmoral Castle, one of the royal residences in Scotland. If the queen were on the premise during one of the tours, it could quickly become a security issue.
Before booking your summer tour, be sure to view the FAQs on the tour's website in order to have a fun and enjoyable tour.