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How To Visit Buckingham Palace In 2024: Tickets, Hours, Tours, And More

Eddie Saint-Jean Last Updated: January 18, 2024

Don’t just stand outside and look for the full-mast flag that means the monarch is home — go in! Buckingham Palace is the British Royal Family’s official residence and even you can visit. That said, it can be tricky and you’ll need to plan ahead. To help you out, I’ve put together this guide with info on tickets, tours, what to see, and the palace’s history. Here’s how to visit Buckingham Palace.

Pro Tip:  Planning what to do on your trip to London? Bookmark this post in your browser so you can easily find it when you’re in the city. Check out our  guide to London  for more planning resources, our best Buckingham Palace tours  for a memorable trip, and the top things to do in London .

Visiting Buckingham Palace: What We’ll Cover

Witnessing the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace is one of the most iconic things you can do in London—after visiting the palace itself, of course.

As the official London residence of the British monarch since 1837, it is replete with all the opulence you would expect of kings and queens. If it’s on your bucket list, you’ll find out what you need to know about how to visit Buckingham Palace in this guide. Here’s what we’ll cover:

• Opening hours and tickets
• How much time to budget for your visit
• What to see in Buckingham Palace
• Guided tour options
• Facts and history of Buckingham Palace
• Places to eat nearby

Not ready to book a tour? Find out if London tours are worth it .

Buckingham Palace Opening Hours and Tickets

Opening Hours:

Visitors have access to the Buckingham Palace State Rooms and the Palace Garden for several weeks throughout the year. But for obvious security reasons, these can only be palace guided tours. Available dates vary based on the tours that the palace offers, but here’s what’s happening in 2023.

Palace-guided tours: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from November to May. Tours usually start at 4:00 pm on Fridays, and 11:00 am through 2:30 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

Summer tickets: July 14 – September 24, with State Rooms closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Tickets have a timed entry so you’ll want to book ahead , but the palace is open from 9:30 am to the last admission at 5:15 in July and August, and 4:15 in September.

The Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place outside the palace building but within its gates. The public can view this ceremony without a ticket around 10:40 to 11:00 am every day. This time is not exact and is also dependent on weather. The ceremony only happens everyday in June/July and on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays for the rest of the year.

Tickets and Tours:

Tickets must be booked online or booked here for a guided tour that includes the area around Buckingham Palace.

Palace-guided tours in the winter and spring:

Adults: £90 Family guided tour: ages 5-17 is £49.50, under 5 is free

Summer Buckingham Palace tickets if purchased in advance:

Adults: £30 Young adults (18-24): £19.50 Child (5-17): £16.50 Disabled: £16.50 Under 5: Free Families: automatic discount for 1 adult and 2 children or up to 2 adults and 4 children

Pro Tip: Your tickets can be validated for up to a year if you ask a Warden to stamp it before leaving!

Address: Buckingham Palace

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our article on the best London tours to take and why .

How Long To Spend at Buckingham Palace

Short Answer: 2.5 hours for the State Rooms or 4.5 hours for the Royal Day Out

There are 19 State Rooms (the palace has a total of 775 rooms) so a meaningful visit will take a few hours. You’ll have access to several of the most ornately decorated rooms with treasures from the Royal Collection, paintings by old master artists, expensive sculptures, and elegant English and French furniture.

Also, you get to see the opulent and historic Throne Room. You might agree as I do that the White Drawing Room is even grander than the Throne Room. Find out for yourself!

What To See In Buckingham Palace

On your visit to the royal residence, make sure you see these incredible rooms and sights. There’s a lot of history and opulence to take in as you see Buckingham Palace. For a more detailed list with history, check out our article on the top things to see at the palace.

• The Changing Of The Guard
• The Throne Room
• The Queen’s Gallery
• The White Drawing Room 
• The Palace Garden
• Treasures Of The Palace
• The Ballroom
• The Gold State Coach
• The Diamond Jubilee State Coach
• The Grand Staircase

Buckingham Palace Tour Options

Guided tours to see Buckingham Palace, the Changing of the Guard, and other important areas around this royal area are the best way to get to know this historic site. We offer several top-rated tours that you can choose to make your vacation in London the best ever.

The Buckingham Palace Royalty Tour (2.5 hours)

Anyone can take an audio-guided tour, but if you book this tour, you get the special attention of a tour guide who knows incredible stories you won’t hear on that audio guide. Plus, you’ll first explore the serene St. James Park where you’ll hear about it’s transformation from a swampland to a deer park and a quiet oasis.

You’ll feel like you know the royals even better after exploring the Mall where official processionals and the Changing of the Guard have happened for centuries. Rest assured that your guide will get you to the right door at Buckingham Palace after entertaining you with stories of what you’ll see inside.

See tour itinerary, price, and description

London Walking Tour with Westminster Abbey and Changing of the Guard (3 hours)

Clients love our skip-the-line access to the famous Westminster Abbey where they can enjoy a few minutes of quiet time with their guide in the nave of the abbey before the public enters.

There’s more to see at Westminster than you think, so having a knowledgeable guide to lead you through the Quire, Poet’s Corner, and more, is extremely helpful. And if the Changing of the Guard happens on the day of your tour, they’ll be sure to help you see it from several vantage points.

London in a Day Tour with Westminster Abbey and Tower of London (7 hours)

Our top-selling London tour is a must-do when you’re traveling to the heart of the United Kingdom. Your local guides are highly qualified and can share an unreal amount of cool facts and stories about London’s iconic sites and history. Starting at Westminster Abbey, you’ll be amazed at just how much of London you can see on foot and on a Thames river cruise.

Your skip-the-line tickets help you maximize your time, and your guides know where the best spots to see the Changing of the Guard are found. Your final stop at the Tower of London brings London’s more grisly history to life. It’s the perfect place to end your busy day tour of London!

Not ready to book a tour? Find out if sightseeing tours in London are worth it .

Buckingham Palace Facts and History 

• The palace has a total of 775 rooms, 19 of which are state rooms open to the public. 
• There have been many properties on the site. From 1698, however, it was known as Buckingham House and was the home of the Duke of Buckingham, where it gets its name.
• In 1761, it became known as the Queen’s House after George III bought it for his wife Queen Charlotte.
• It became a palace for the first time in the 1820s when George IV had it lavishly restructured fit for a king.
• The royal family made it their official residence in 1837, and Queen Victoria was the first royal to officially live there as head of state.
• The palace entertains 50,000 invited guests a year. Also, it averages 578,000 paid visitors a year.
• The Changing of the Guard ceremony happens daily at 10.45 am. King Henry VII made them the official Royal Body Guard 500 years ago. 
• During World War II, the palace was repeatedly targeted but survived nine bombing raids. The Royal Family refused to move out despite concerns for their safety.
• The palace is heavily protected but in 1982 an intruder called Michael Fagan broke into the Queen’s bedroom while she was sleeping. When she awoke, they had a brief chat before she fled the room and raised the alarm.

Places To Eat Nearby

The good news is your dining options are plentiful, but you’ll need to choose wisely. You can dine like royalty on Buckingham Palace Road, very close to the palace. Or, on the same stretch of road, there are sandwich bars with a more laid-back atmosphere and casual dining.

Take your pick of traditional British fare or more exotic cuisines. Here are a few suggestions, but if you’d like more options, also check out our guide to the best restaurants near Buckingham Palace . 

The Laughing Halibut : £ | Takeaway —Grab some old-school fish and chips to take away or take a seat inside. It’s a great place for a quick lunch with good reviews.

Bon Gusto : ££ | Italian Cuisine —Fancy a change from British grub? Try this Italian restaurant with a selection of meat, seafood, and pasta dishes. There are also soups and Mediterranean salads.  

The English Grill : ££££ | Traditional British Fare —This restaurant promises you’ll dine like royalty. Indeed, it is ornately decorated with regal furniture and furnishings. You can enjoy traditional afternoon tea in a garden overlooking the Royal Mews. Also, the range of steak, salad, and dessert dishes (to name a few) are product-sourced from the same Royal suppliers as Buckingham Palace.

Find the best places to stay

Where To Stay in London

Deciding where to stay at a great hotel in London can take some effort since it’s a massive city. Make your decision easier with our list of the best neighborhoods and hotels in London.

Reader Interactions

Comments (10).

June 30, 2022

We Want to visit inside Buckingham Palace either on 13th or 14th July. Can you help us tour and visit it?

July 5, 2022

We don’t currently offer Buckingham Palace tours, but we’d love to take you around London to see the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, plus even more great locations on our London in a Day tour and Westminster Abbey tour .

July 1, 2022

Will we be able to turn up at Buckingham Palace and buy a ticket on the day? Shanthi

[email protected]

Not necessarily. Since the royal family uses Buckingham Palace, schedules and public access are subject to changes at short notice. Additionally, tours are not available every day. It’s best to plan ahead and purchase tickets before you arrive to have the best chance of entering the palace.

September 19, 2022

It’s my 70th birthday august 21 2023 and I would like to bring my children/grandchildren to visit Buckingham Palace. There will be 2 x Oaps, 3 adults, 1 child aged 9 and 1 aged 4. What would you recommend and at what cost? Thank you for your help Best wishes

September 21, 2022

What a fun trip! You can check their website for tickets next season. The palace is only open for 10 weeks in the summer, and it’s closed early this year due to the queen’s death. You can also book a trip out to Windsor Castle and Stonehenge for fun day trip to another royal residence.

In your ‘blurb’ “It became a palace for the first time in the 1820s when George VI had it lavishly restructured to be fit for a king.” This is incorrect. In actual fact it was ‘King George IV’ who died in 1830 King George VI was Queen Elizabeth II father and died in 1952

Thanks for letting us know about that typo! It makes a difference of generations!

I purchased four Buckingham Palace tour tickets for Thursday, September 29. I do have my confirmation email, but I don’t have the actual ticket email. If I would email my customer and order numbers to an office or a person, is there some way I could please get the email with the actual tickets.

Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time and assistance with this matter.

You’ll need to check with the company from whom you purchased your ticket as they’ll have the accurate information.

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Buckingham Palace: The Complete Guide

Visit Queen Elizabeth II's Official Residence

TripSavvy / Taylor McIntyre

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace, the official residence of the British sovereign since Queen Victoria and her brood took up residence in 1837, has had a rather checkered career as a Royal residence. It was so unloved at one point that it was offered to the nation as a temporary House of Parliament. But today it's one of the most iconic attractions in all of the United Kingdom. Tourist experiences at Buckingham Palace can range from a casual viewing of the Changing of the Guards to a tour of the interior of the palatial complex. Here's what you need to know to plan your visit.

History of Buckingham Palace

In the early 17th century, during the reign of King James 1, son of Mary Queen of Scots, the land where Buckingham Palace and the Palace Garden now stands was a mulberry plantation for one of many doomed attempts to rear silkworms in Europe.

The land, now between Green Park and St. James's Park, already had a house on it when it was given to a nobleman in 1628. For the next 70 years, it passed from one noble resident to another until given to the Duke of Buckingham. He built a new house on the site and it became known as Buckingham House. 

The original Buckingham House cost £7,000 to build. A trifle when you consider that it is undergoing a £370 million, 10-year-long "essential" refurbishment that began in 2017.

The house first became a royal residence, though not an official palace, in 1762 when King George III bought it for his wife, Queen Charlotte, and children. Renovations undertaken then included fabulous ceilings designed by Scottish architect Robert Adam. 

When King George IV ascended to the throne, Buckingham House was still just a very big house. The king wanted a palace and employed the famous Regency court architect John Nash to give him one during the last five years of his life. Nash spent so much money (about £470,000) that as soon as the king died, the Prime Minister fired him.

Various other architects had a hand in renovations but when the next monarch, George III's brother William IV, became king the house was unfurnished and unloved. William refused to move in.

And then came Queen Victoria

William had a phenomenal number of illegitimate children but no legitimate heir, so the throne was then inherited by his niece, Victoria and her considerable family. In no time at all, Buckingham House, now officially Buckingham Palace, was too small. The parade of architects continued and the Brighton Pavilion was sold to fund the addition of a new wing for £53,000. The central balcony, familiar to watchers of royal weddings, was added then. And the Triumphal Arch, designed by Nash, was moved to the northeast corner of Hyde Park where it is now known as Marble Arch.

So, if behind its 19th century facade and early 20th century Portland stone cladding (George V), Buckingham Palace seems a bit of a hodgepodge, now you know why.

Visiting Buckingham Palace

The State Rooms of the palace have only been opened to the public since 1993, and then only during a limited period from mid July to the end of September. The public showings of "Buck House" were initially intended as a way to raise funds to repair Windsor Castle after a disastrous fire in 1992. It turned out it was so popular that the Queen continued to allow visitors every summer. Don't expect to catch a glimpse of Queen Elizabeth or member of the Royal Family on your visit, though. When the palace is open to the public she goes to one of her country residences or makes her annual visit to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.

And you're not likely to see much of real life at the palace. Buckingham Palace as 775 rooms, including 19 State rooms that are included in a visit. The State rooms are where the Queen and members of the Royal Family receive guests on State, ceremonial and official occasions. The rest - 52 Royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms - is strictly off limits.

What you will see is a series of extremely grand chambers filled with many of the treasures of the Royal Collection; paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, and Canaletto; beautiful examples of English and French furniture and much more. Highlights include:

• The White Drawing Room - considered the most magnificent of the reception rooms. Look out for a fabulous rolltop desk and a gilded piano provided for Queen Victoria.
• The Throne Room  - Who knew there were so many different thrones. Under a dramatic arch and canopy - designer John Nash was influenced by theater design - are the pair of Chairs of Estate used by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh during the Coronation in 1953. The chair was used before the Queen was anointed and crowned. Another throne, kept and displayed at Windsor Castle was used after. The room also has Queen Victoria's throne and chairs used by George VI and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. Surprisingly, before 1910, furniture used in the Coronation ceremony was sold to the guests, so there are no earlier thrones here.
• The Picture Gallery  This is where candidates about to be honored with knighthoods and other official honors wait before being invited into the ballroom for the investiture ceremony. While they're waiting, they can look at paintings from the Queen's collection, which are changed from time to time.
• The Ballroom  The largest of the State rooms is used for state banquets and investitures. It has a musicians' gallery, complete with an organ. The most striking feature of this room is the Throne Canopy, designed by Lutyens. It is topped by a triumphal arch, with winged statues - symbolizing History and Fame - and supporting a medallion with profiles of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. The thrones beneath it were used in the coronation of Edward VII and Queen Alexandra in 1902. This room was styled, frankly, to knock your socks off. And depending upon where you stand on such things, it will either have the desired effect or you will think it demonstrates the worst excesses of Victorian design. The jury is out on that one.

After your tour of the 19 rooms, you can wander about in the gardens or have a light bite - tea and coffee, sandwiches and cakes - in the Garden Cafe.

Visitor Essentials

• When:  Buckingham Palace is open to the public from mid-July to the end of September and then for private tours on selected dates in the winter. In 2019, the Annual Summer Opening is from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. from Saturday, July 20 to Saturday, August 31 and to 6:30 p.m. through Sunday, September 29.
• Where: Between Green Park and St James's Park in Central London. The Palace is located at the juncture of two processional roads - Constitution Hill, which runs from Hyde Park Corner and the Wellington Arch to the Palace and The Mall (rhymes with the name Al,) which runs from the Palace to the Admiralty Arch and Trafalgar Square.
• By Train: Victoria Station and Charing Cross are the nearest rail stations. Check National Rail Enquiries for times and ticket prices. 
• ​By London Underground:  The nearest London Underground Stations are Victoria, Hyde Park Corner, and St James's Park Green Park and St James's Park. Check Transport for London to plan a journey. 
• By Bus: Bus numbers 11, 211, C1 and C10 all stop on Buckingham Palace Road, a short walk from the Palace entrance and other attractions. Victoria Coach Station, for longer distance coach arrivals, is about a ten minute walk.
• Prices - From January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019, here are the prices for Standard Admission: Adult tickets cost £25; student or senior tickets are £22.8; children from 5 to 17 and the disabled cost £14 and children under 5 are free. Family tickets for two adults and up to three children are also available.
• How to Buy - Tickets are sold for timed entry at intervals of 15 minutes apart. They are available on the day at the Palace but as the entry can be busy during the annual opening, visitors are advised to buy their tickets in advance - either at the Palace ticket office or online . 
• Combination Tickets: To make the most of your visit, Royal Day Out tickets are available that can be used for three attractions. In addition to the Buckingham Palace State Rooms, this combination ticket provides entry to the Royal Mews, where the Royal carriages and horses are kept, and to the Queen's Gallery. Find out more about Royal Day Out Tickets.
• Practical Information The Palace website has pages of information about everything from length of visit, multi-media guides in nine different languages, handicapped and access facilities to toilets and baby changing facilities. To find out about how to cope with the practical necessities of life, best check out their  Practical Information webpages.

What Else is Nearby

The Royal Mews  claims to be "one of the finest working stables in existence." I have no way to judge that claim, but it is fun to visit. The Royal Mews is responsible for all the road transportation of the Queen and Royal Family. The includes care of the many elaborate carriages of state, the horses that pull them and also the Queen's cars. You can visit this as part of a Royal Day Out ticket (see above) or separately. The Royal Mews are open between February and November, so most of the year except for the winter holiday season.

The Queen's Gallery is located alongside Buckingham Palace on Buckingham Palace RoadIt features changing works from the Royal Collection - paintings, furniture, decorative objects. In the summer of 2018, a special exhibition celebrates Splendors of the Subcontinent - art from India and the Mughal Empire. This gallery can be included on a Royal Day Out ticket - as above - or separately. The Gallery is open year round except for planned closures, listed on the website, for changing the exhibitions. 

Clarence House   is just off the Mall and down the road from Buckingham Palace. It was built during the reign of George III for his third son, the Duke of Clarence. It was the Queen Mother's home for more than five decades and is currently the official residence of the Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. Normally, it can be visited during the month of August. But the Clarence House will be closed to visitors all of 2019 for maintenance work. The expected re-opening date is August 2020.

One Word of Warning

The official Buckingham Palace website indicates that, if you have your ticket is stamped at the end of your visit, it will be good for unlimited visits for the whole year. That is seriously misleading  because Buckingham Palace is simply not open for a full year. It is open from mid-July to the end of September. If you buy a Royal Day Out ticket, the other attractions on it are open year round, but "Buck House" is not. Just be aware of that to avoid disappointment.

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Visiting Buckingham Palace: 10 Best Things to See & Do

Written by Bryan Dearsley Updated Dec 28, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

When you think of Britain, and in particular England, many images will pop into your head. For visitors to London from across the globe, royalty is often the first thing they think of when planning their England travel itinerary. And nothing says "Royal Family" quite as loudly a visit to Buckingham Palace.

The official London residence of the Royal Family since Queen Victoria's accession in 1837, Buckingham Palace was originally built for the Duke of Buckingham, and was purchased by George III in 1762. Known affectionately to Londoners as "Buck House," it was later enlarged by George IV's court architect, John Nash, in 1825.

The east wing was added in 1846, and in 1913, when George V was king, the east front was given its present Neoclassical look.

To this day, when the sovereign is in residence, the Royal Standard flies over the palace, and units of the Guards Division, dressed in full uniform, mount a guard. On special occasions, such as those usually spectacular royal weddings, the sovereign appears with members of the Royal Family on the central balcony for a friendly wave and a dose of adulation from the crowds.

Tourists today are able to visit Buckingham palace and explore many areas of the palace complex, including areas that were once considered for "royal eyes" and their staff only. From sumptuously furnished state rooms to wonderful works of art, the public now has greater access to Buckingham Palace than at any other time in history.

To help you make the most of your visit to this royal household, be sure to read through our list of the top things to see and do in Buckingham Palace and its vicinity.

1. Experience the Colorful Pageantry of the Changing of the Guard Ceremony

2. visit the royal state rooms, 3. explore the royal mews, 4. view the rare artworks at the queen's gallery, 5. take a tour of clarence house, 6. take a stroll through green park, 7. the garden at buckingham palace, 8. explore the household cavalry museum, 9. the victoria monument, 10. visit the guards museum, tips and tours: how to make the most of your visit to buckingham palace.

The historic Changing of the Queen's Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace has been a treasured London tradition since 1660. Otherwise known as "Guard mounting," this must-see spectacle begins when a troop of the Queen's Life Guard rides from their Hyde Park Barracks and past Buckingham Palace to change the guard at Horse Guards.

This must-see display of pageantry is widely regarded as one of the top free things to do in London. Consequently, things do get very crowded around Buckingham Palace as pedestrians make their way through Green Park and crowd the sidewalks around Memorial Gardens and the Victoria Monument. So try to arrive a little early to ensure a good view of the ceremony.

This colorful spectacle starts daily at 11:30am from April to July, and on alternate days thereafter. While the ceremony lasts approximately 40 minutes, you can drag the excitement out a little longer and follow the "relieved" guards as they march smartly back to their barracks.

Official Site: https://www.rct.uk/visit/buckingham-palace

For eight weeks in the summer of 1993, Buckingham Palace's State Rooms were opened to the public for the very first time. The proceeds of this landmark event were devoted to the restoration of Windsor Castle , parts of which were severely damaged by a tragic fire the previous year.

Following the success of the venture, the State Rooms are now part of a superb tour that features many excellent pieces from the Royal Collection, including paintings by Van Dyck and Canaletto, sculptures by Canova, as well as rare porcelain and fine period furniture. Your tour also includes a look inside the Throne Room, the Music Room, the Picture Gallery, and the spectacular White Drawing Room.

The popular tours do book early, and are limited to the 10 weeks each summer between July and October that the Queen is away in Balmoral in the Scottish Highlands .

Official site: www.royalcollection.org.uk/visit/the-state-rooms-buckingham-palace/plan-your-visit

In the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace, you can see a fascinating array of state coaches and carriages. Some are still used by British monarchs on special occasions, such as weddings and funerals.

The most impressive of the coaches on display is the elaborate Gold State Coach . Built for George III in 1762, it has been used for every coronation since 1821. This spectacular Royal carriage is so heavy that it takes eight horses to pull it. The horses, including the famous Windsor Greys, are also stabled in the Mews.

Other items in the collection are the Australian State Coach, a gift from the people of Australia in 1988 and which the monarch drives to the state opening of Parliament; and the Glass Coach, acquired by George V in 1910 and used principally for royal weddings. A number of Rolls Royce limousines , including an extremely rare Phantom VI, along with models from Bentley and Jaguar, are also on display.

Between May and October, interesting free 45-minute guided tours are included with admission to the Royal Mews, led hourly by Wardens in their navy and red livery. These interesting tours explain the responsibilities of the mews staff and describe how royal travel is arranged for special events. Other fun things to do include dressing up and sitting in one of the royal carriages.

Be sure to check the Royal Mews's official website for details of closures or any carriages, such as the Gold State Coach, being in use elsewhere.

Address: Buckingham Palace Road, London, England

Official site: www.royalcollection.org.uk/visit/royalmews

The Queen's Gallery is an excellent public art gallery that occupies part of the west front of Buckingham Palace. It houses varying exhibitions of up to 450 works from the extensive Royal Collection at any given time.

Located on the site of a former chapel, the gallery has been extensively restored and expanded and is a superb place to view some of Britain's most important royal art collections. Free multimedia tours are available. A great shop is also located on the premises.

Address: Buckingham Palace, London, England

Official site: www.royalcollection.org.uk/visit/the-queens-gallery-buckingham-palace

The official London residence of the Prince of Wales, the superbly renovated Clarence House, just behind the Palace, has been opened to the public for tours only during the month of August. These interesting tours last an hour, and you'll see the formal gardens and five ground-floor rooms used by the Prince for official engagements: The Lancaster Room, The Morning Room, The Library, The Dining Room, and The Garden Room.

Designed. by John Nash, the building was completed in 1827 and today houses much of the Queen's art collection , including paintings by 20th-century artists such as John Piper, Graham Sutherland, and Augustus John. The house also displays some of her porcelain and silver collection. A souvenir and gift shop is located on-site.

Official site: www.royal.uk/royal-residences-clarence-house

Located directly across from Buckingham Palace, Green Park was once part of the palace gardens and was a favorite retreat of Charles II. The park remained enclosed and restricted for Royal use until the 1700s, and was landscaped extensively in the 1800s.

Today, the 40-acre park, the smallest of Britain's Royal Parks, is only separated from the palace by a roadway and offers excellent views of the royal residence. Unlike most Royal Parks, it largely consists of woods and meadows, with notable features including Canada Gate, facing Buckingham Palace, and memorials, including the recently added Bomber Command Memorial.

While there are no flowerbeds, the park offers up an amazing display of daffodils each spring, when some one million bulbs blossom.

Official site: www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/green-park

More than 350 varieties of wildflowers and 200 tree varieties grow in the 39 acres of gardens behind Buckingham Palace. These surround a three-acre lake on whose shore Queen Elizabeth and her sister played as children.

Today, the Queen holds her famous Garden Parties on the lawns and stately promenades. Top attractions on a tour of the gardens are the beautiful floral border, the Rose Garden, the wildflower meadow, the Summer House, the giant Waterloo Vase, and the tennis courts where King George VI played.

Be aware, however, that these popular tours do sell out quickly, and are held only on select days between July and September. For a special treat, bring a picnic for you and your family to enjoy on the lawns of Buckingham Palace Gardens.

Official site: www.rct.uk/event/the-garden-at-buckingham-palace

The Household Cavalry Museum explores the colorful history of the British Army's senior regiment from its creation in 1661. Along with displays of uniforms, standards, elegant horse fittings, awards, and musical instruments are audio-visuals and hands-on exhibits that will appeal to children.

Popular things to do include trying on real guards' helmets and regalia, and you can also watch through a glass wall as the guards prepare their horses in the stables. It's also possible to go outside to see the daily Guard Change at 10:50am (9:50 Sunday); the Guard Inspection at 4pm; or mounted sentry changes on the hour, from 10am to 4pm daily.

A well-stocked souvenir and gift shop is located on the premises.

Address: Horse Guards, Whitehall, London, England

Official site: www.householdcavalrymuseum.co.uk/

Directly in front of Buckingham Palace is the large memorial to Queen Victoria. Designed by Sir Aston Webb, with sculpture by Sir Thomas Brock, it portrays the former queen surrounded by the allegorical figures of Victory, Endurance, Courage, Truth, Justice, Science, Art, and Agriculture.

Recently renovated, it offers up one of London's most popular photo settings, especially when framed with Buckingham Palace in the background.

This interesting museum presents the history of the five regiments of Foot Guards and includes uniforms, weapons, and memorabilia from more than 300 years. Other interesting displays include a chronology of the regimental uniforms. as well as artwork, weapons, and models.

Miniature and military collectors should visit the shop, The Guards Toy Soldier Centre , on the right as you enter through the main gates off Birdcage Walk. Guided tours and walks are available.

Address: Wellington Barracks, Birdcage Walk, London

Official site: www.theguardsmuseum.com

• Tours of Buckingham Palace: You can combine a visit to the State Rooms with a guided walk through St. James Park and a prime view of the royal guards on a Buckingham Palace Tour Including Changing of the Guard Ceremony . The 2.5-hour tour includes an audio guide to the State Rooms. For an even more iconic London experience, the four-hour Buckingham Palace Tour Including Changing of the Guard Ceremony and Afternoon Tea finishes with an elegantly served traditional afternoon tea at a posh London hotel.
• The Queen's Gallery and Royal Mews Tickets: Both are on a timed-ticket system, so purchase tickets first, then explore the parks and monuments while waiting. Be sure to have a staff member stamp your ticket for re-entry - it's good for a year, so you can break up your visits.
• Kids: Activity bags are available free of charge, so be sure to ask for one when collecting your tickets. A kids' drawing and coloring room is available in the State Rooms.
• Security: Expect airport-style security checks, and large bags and backpacks must be left in the cloakroom provided.
• Getting to Buckingham Palace: The nearest tube stations are Victoria, Green Park, and Hyde Park Corner.

Address: Buckingham Palace Road, London

Official site: www.royal.uk

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How To Visit Buckingham Palace

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“Pussycat, pussycat, where have you been? I’ve been to London to look at the queen!” These are the starting words of a traditional children’s nursery rhyme. And it’s not only nursery-rhyme cats interested in attractions associated with the royal family.

Buckingham Palace , the King’s official London residence and the administrative headquarters of the British monarchy, is one of London’s top 10 attractions according to Visit London . Visitors can watch the Changing of the Guard, tour the State Rooms, visit the Royal Mews, see changing art exhibitions, or simply enjoy views of Buckingham Palace and the Queen Victoria Monument from adjoining Green Park .

Buckingham Palace has served as the official London residence of British sovereigns since 1837 when Queen Victoria made it her home. But the property’s Royal Family history goes back to 1761 when George III bought Buckingham House for his wife Queen Charlotte.

Where Is Buckingham Palace?

Buckingham Palace sits at the intersection of The Mall, Constitution Hill, and Spur Road off Birdcage Walk in the City of Westminster in central London. The Palace is surrounded by gardens and green space on three sides. St. James’s Park sits on the east side and Green Park on the north side. Royal gardens run behind the Palace to the west. A number of London tourist attractions, including Westminster Abbey, the Churchill War Rooms, and Trafalgar Square, lie within a one-mile radius of the palace.

The Wellington Arch , a large stone archway flanked with Corinthian columns and topped with the largest bronze sculpture in Europe, sits at the western end of Constitution Hill at Hyde Park Corner. Originally built as the outer entrance to Buckingham Palace, the arch was moved to its current location in the 1880s. You can purchase tickets to get inside the arch, where rooms over five stories house historical exhibitions and balconies offer views of Buckingham Palace’s back gardens and London’s Royal Parks.

s4svisuals / Shutterstock

How To Get To Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace’s central location is easily reached by the Underground, by train, and by coach/bus.

How To Get To Buckingham Palace By Subway

London’s subway system, known as the London Underground or by its nickname, the Tube, is fast and efficient. The nearest Underground stops to Buckingham Palace are Victoria, Green Park, St. James’s Park, and Hyde Park Corner.

It’s roughly an 11-minute walk to Buckingham Palace from Victoria Station, an 8-minute walk from Green Park Station or St. James’s Park Station, and a 12-minute walk from Hyde Park Corner Station.

How To Get To Buckingham Palace By Train

The National Rail System is a passenger train network connecting London with the rest of the country. You might use this system to get to Buckingham Palace if you are coming from outside of the Greater London area serviced by the Underground. London Victoria and Charing Cross Station are the nearest train stations to Buckingham Palace.

How To Get To Buckingham Palace By Coach Or Bus

Bus numbers 11, 211, C1 and C10 stop on Buckingham Palace Road. Victoria Coach Station is a 10-minute walk from the Palace. Use Transport for London’s Plan a Journey page to determine which bus to take from your starting location.

Buckingham Palace is also a stop on some hop-on, hop-off tourist buses.

Ink Drop / Shutterstock

When Is The Best Time To Visit Buckingham Palace?

If you want to get inside Buckingham Palace, summer is the best time to visit. Although the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace are open to visitors for a few selected dates in winter and spring, the primary touring time is in summer.

Summer also offers the best weather for viewing the Changing of the Guard . Of course, summer is the busiest tourist season and you will be jostling amongst a crowd for the best views. Bundle up or pack a poncho, and you can see the Changing of the Guard throughout the year.

The Royal Mews is open February through November. Guided tours are offered between April and October. The Royal Mews is responsible for all the road travel arrangements for the King and the Royal Family. Inside you’ll find historic carriages, a stable of horses, and livery worn by the King’s horsemen. Note that the Royal Mews are part of a working royal palace and closures sometimes happen at short notice.

The Queen’s Gallery is a public art gallery that features changing exhibitions from the Royal Collection featuring old master paintings, rare furniture, decorative arts, and photographic images. The Queen’s Gallery is open year-round.

cowardlion / Shutterstock

When Is The Changing Of The Guard?

The Changing of the Guard is a ceremony in which the King’s Guards, clad in scarlet uniforms and bearskin caps, hand off responsibility for protecting Buckingham Palace. The guards are Foot Guards, or highly trained infantry soldiers.

The ceremony, which is free to watch, takes place on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace. Formation of the guards in preparation for the ceremony begins around 10:30 a.m. when the Buckingham Palace Old Guard lines up for inspection, the St. James Old Guard begins its march down The Mall, and the New Guard forms on the parade square at Wellington Barracks. Guards and bands start arriving at Buckingham Palace at 10:45 a.m. The actual handover, when the New Guard enters the forecourt via the North Gate and receives the Palace Keys, occurs at 11 a.m. sharp. This is followed by marches of the Old and New Guards. The ceremony takes approximately 45 minutes. Musical accompaniment is provided by a regimental band or corps of drums.

The Changing of the Guard is popular. It is recommended you arrive before 10:15 a.m. to get a good viewing spot. The Buckingham Palace railings are a good spot with visibility of the entire forecourt ceremony, but you need to arrive very early to situate yourself here.

The elevated position of the steps of the Victoria Monument also provides a reasonable view. Spur Road on the left facing Buckingham Palace is a good place to see the New Guard and Band marching up Birdcage Walk. Remember to “make way for the King’s Guard!” and not stand in the way of the Foot Guards.

Although the Changing of the Guard occurs several times a week, it is not scheduled everyday. Check the Changing of the Guard schedule before you plan your visit.

Royal Collection Trust

How To Tour The Inside of Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms, including 240 Royal, guest, and staff bedrooms, 92 offices, 78 bathrooms, and 19 State rooms. The State Rooms inside Buckingham Palace are open to visitors for 10 weeks each summer and on selected dates during winter and spring. The King’s private living spaces are not open to the public.

The State Rooms are the public rooms in the palace where the King and members of the Royal Family receive and entertain guests on ceremonial and official occasions. Rooms you will tour after entering via the opulent, red-carpeted Grand Staircase include the White Drawing Room, the Throne Room, the Ballroom, and the Picture Gallery.

Each year the Royal Collection Trust , the organization that manages public openings of the official residences of His Majesty the King, curates a special exhibit for the summer opening at Buckingham Palace. In 2019, Queen Victoria’s Palace held an exhibition to honor the 200th anniversary of Queen Victoria’s birth, telling the story of how the young queen transformed Buckingham Palace from a private house into a working royal residence.

You need to purchase tickets for the State Rooms tour in advance. Tickets can be booked online. Arrive at least 10 minutes before your entry time. You will go through airport-style security. Complimentary multimedia guides are provided. Photographs are not allowed. Wear comfortable shoes as there is a fair bit of walking involved. The Royal Collection Trust recommends you allow up to 2 hours and 30 minutes for your State Rooms tour. One of the available ticketing options allows you to add a 45-minute guided tour of Buckingham Palace Gardens to your State Rooms visit.

Can I See The King At Buckingham Palace?

The nursery-rhyme cat may have had a look at the queen, but you are unlikely to see the now King when you visit Buckingham Palace. State Room tours are scheduled when the King is not in residence. When the King is at home at Buckingham Palace, you’ll see his flag, the Royal Standard, flying from the flagpole on top of the palace.

If your visit to London coincides with a Royal Wedding or a special event of national significance, you may be able to get a glimpse of the King on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, where he and Royal Family members gather to wave to crowds below.

Your best bet for getting a look at the King may actually be away from Buckingham Palace at one of the functions he attends. The Royal Diary on the Royal Family website contains a list of engagements to be attended by His Royal Majesty and other Royal Family members.

Two annual events offer opportunities to see the King. For the State Opening of Parliament in May, the King travels from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster in a State coach escorted by the Household Cavalry.

Headed to the UK? Here’s why Oxford is well worth visiting on your next trip to England .

Photo Credit: HiStockPhoto / Shutterstock

Photo Credit: Pajor Pawel / Shutterstock

Donna Janke is a writer based in Canada out of Winnipeg, Manitoba. She shares her travel discoveries on her blog, Destinations Detours and Dreams , using a combination of narrative, photography, and personal reflection, all with an eye for detail. Her interest in travel started as a child when books transported her around the world, and grew as she explored the world in person. Her life as a travel writer began after she retired from a professional career in IT. Donna loves discovering the unique character of places, near and far, and writing to inspire others in their travels. Her travel stories have been published in several outlets, and tend to focus on culture, history, nature, art, architecture, and food.

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The 5 best sightseeing tours of buckingham palace.

See one of Britain's top attractions on a walking, biking, bus or private taxi tour.

The Best Tours of Buckingham Palace

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A tour of Buckingham Palace is a must-do on your next London vacation.

On a visit to London , some of the top attractions are linked to the royal family. But nothing is quite as iconic as a visit to the one of the three official residences of the monarchy – Buckingham Palace . While it's only open to the public on select dates, you can relish in its beauty from the regal gates, snap a selfie and catch a Changing the Guard ceremony.

How to Tour Buckingham Palace

For about 10 weeks every summer (select dates from July 11 to Sept. 29, 2024), Buckingham Palace opens its elaborate gates, welcoming visitors to explore its lavish State Rooms, grounds and Royal Collection artworks. The Royal Mews is also open to visitors from March to October, showcasing the Royal Family's real working stables and ornate, historic carriages – including the Gold State Coach used for Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Coronation in 2022.

The Best Sightseeing Tours of Buckingham Palace

If you aren't here at the right time, fear not; this extravagant, 18th-century royal residence is just as impressive from the outside, making it worth a visit any time of year. Come on a Monday, Wednesday, Friday or Sunday morning to see the Changing the Guard ceremony – when the red-and-black-clad Royal Guard marches toward the palace, accompanied by striking military music – and see a tradition that's been running for more than 300 years. Combine it with explorations in the surrounding area of Westminster to see London at its most quintessential.

You can explore all of this independently, of course – but if you're looking to dig a little deeper, hear about the king's coronation and uncover local secrets, consider a guided London tour . Insider experts can point out the best photo spots, take you to the must-see sights and show you the ins and outs of the area while sharing  knowledge of the country's royal history along the way.

There are tons of options out there, so where do you start? Based on local knowledge and traveler review sites, here are some of the most highly rated tours.

Changing of the Guard Walking Tour

Price: From $13

Duration: 2 to 3 hours

Standout perk: Witness the pomp of the iconic Changing the Guard ceremony.

Watch the Royal Guard march toward Buckingham Palace as you witness this historic, quintessentially British spectacle on a two-hour tour of Westminster's highlights. Accompanied by a military band, you'll see the Old Guard (soldiers on duty) switch to the New Guard as they arrive at the palace from Wellington Barracks. Your guide will explain which regiment is which, before taking you on a guided walking tour past other world-famous, attractions, including Big Ben, Clarence House, the Houses of Parliament , St James's Palace and Westminster Abbey .

Recent travelers gave high ratings to the tour, saying guides were able to take them to the best photo spots for the ceremony, while offering a wealth of historical and entertaining insight.

Tours leave at 10 a.m. and depart from the corner of Piccadilly and Arlington Street (between The Ritz and The Wolseley), ending at Parliament Square.

Local tip: Look at the Horse Guards Clock on the Horse Guards Parade – the official entrance to Buckingham Palace and St James's Palace – to see a dark stain above the 2 (II, in Roman numerals). It marks the time King Charles I was executed outside the Palace of Whitehall in 1649, after being charged with treason.

View & Book Tickets: Viator

Windsor Castle & Buckingham Palace Tour

Price: From $164

Duration: 8.5 hours

Standout perk: Get a rare chance to explore the State Rooms with Buckingham Palace tickets, and tick off two of the United Kingdom's grandest royal residences in one day.

This twin-castle tour offers the opportunity to enter Buckingham Palace and see its State Rooms, Royal Collection artwork and other treasures, with commentary from an audio guide. After you've toured the palace, you'll travel by coach about 25 miles west of London to Windsor Castle – the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, and the family home of the monarchy for more than 900 years. Explore the castle's lavish State Apartments and grounds, and visit St George's Chapel – the burial place of Queen Elizabeth II alongside many other monarchs, and the spot where Prince Harry married Meghan Markle. Recent travelers said the tour was a great opportunity to see inside both palaces. Several commented on the extensive art collection at Buckingham Palace, and many enjoyed hearing insights from the guides, although some complained about long lines. The tour takes place from July through September on select Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and leaves from Victoria Coach Station at 7:45 a.m. Local tip: Windsor Castle has its own Changing the Guard ceremony, as well as its own extensive art collection – the ceremony takes place at 11 a.m. on select days of the week.

Full-day London with Changing of the Guard and Private Cruise

Price: From $158; with optional London Eye or Harrods cream tea for an additional fee

Duration: 9 hours

Standout perk: You'll see many of London's key attractions in one day, and enjoy a river cruise thrown in for good measure.

If you want to combine a visit to see Buckingham Palace's Changing the Guard ceremony with stops at several other London spots, this is a great choice. The full-day trip begins at the UNESCO listed Tower of London where you'll have the chance to see the crown jewels.

From here you'll visit Buckingham Palace to witness the famous pomp and pageantry of the ceremony, and get the chance to admire the palace's impressive architecture from the outside. The day includes a tour of the elaborate St. Paul's Cathedral (not available on Sundays), before embarking on a boat tour of the Thames, passing key attractions including Tower Bridge and Shakespeare's Globe. The day also includes a photo stop at Westminster Abbey, where Prince William and Kate Middleton married in 2011, and a brief walking tour of Parliament Square. Travelers can choose to add a ride on the famous London Eye observation wheel (or opt for a quintessentially British cream tea at Harrods instead).

Recent travelers loved the tour and praised the guides as highly knowledgeable and entertaining. Many were impressed with how much they saw in a day and said it gave them a great introduction to London (although it's worth noting a few felt there was quite a bit of walking involved).

Tours leave from Victoria Coach Station at 7:45 a.m. and finish at the London Eye.

Local tip: If you fancy delving deeper into the Tower of London in your own time, book a ticket to see the Ceremony of the Keys. Dating back seven centuries, this nightly ceremony is when the castle gets locked up for the night, with a special exchange between the sentry and Yeoman Warder taking place at 9:30 p.m. between the atmospheric battlements – both eerie and magical.

Tips on Trips and Expert Picks

Travel tips, vacation ideas and more to make your next vacation stellar.

The London Essentials Bike Tour

Price: From $38

Duration: 3.5 hours

Standout perk: Get active on two wheels, and combine a Buckingham Palace stop with a visit to Kensington Palace and other royal sights.

This half-day guided cycling tour is a great option to get active on your London trip. You'll start at Kensington Gardens – the home of Kensington Palace, where Princess Diana lived with the now King Charles, and Queen Victoria's birthplace. From here, pedal to the Royal Albert Hall to check out this elaborate concert hall, opened by Queen Victoria in 1871. Afterward, cycle through Hyde Park and on to Green Park to reach Buckingham Palace, where your guide will regale you with little-known stories about the palace. Continue on to Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben as you take in some of the capital's key highlights, before returning to the Royal Parks.

Recent travelers raved about the tour and were really impressed by the knowledge of the guide. Many enjoyed the small group size and said the cycling was a good, leisurely pace, with plenty to see along the way, and iced tea and snacks included as a bonus.

The tour leaves from outside the main entrance at Hilton London Hyde Park. The recommended minimum age is 9 – you can pre-book junior bikes and child seats. While the bicycle and helmet for use during the tour are included, attraction entry fees are additional.

Local tip: If you've got time after the tour, it's well worth exploring Kensington Palace a bit more. Admire the elaborate, Georgian-era King's Staircase and the King's State Gallery with its fine art collection, see the Queen's State Apartments where Mary II would come to relax or welcome guests, and visit the Sunken Garden, once a favorite spot of Princess Diana's. After, enjoy afternoon tea or lunch at the Kensington Palace Pavilion amid the gardens.

View & Book Tickets: GetYourGuide

The Premier Classic London: Private 4-Hour Tour in a Black Cab

Price: From $461

Duration: 4 hours

Standout perk: You'll see many of London's must-see attractions, and as it's a private tour, you can tailor the trip to your liking.

If you're after a private tour, this half-day trip in a classic London black cab is just the ticket.

You can choose to align your visit to Buckingham Palace with a Changing the Guard ceremony, and you'll get expert commentary from your personal taxi driver, who's also a registered tour guide. Alongside the palace, you'll pass must-see points including the Houses of Parliament, Downing Street, St James's Palace, the Tower of London, Piccadilly Circus, Shakespeare's Globe, Borough Market and Covent Garden , with options to stop along the way.

Recent travelers loved the tour and said guides were able to tailor the trip, stopping at spots both on and off the tourist trail and offering plenty of historical insight.

Your driver-guide can pick you up and drop you off at your hotel; or a central London location.

Local tip: Make a stop at Borough Market to try some of the best food in the city, with more than 100 stalls offering everything from Persian to Italian, alongside plenty of fresh produce.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Laura French is an award-winning British travel writer based in London. She grew up just outside the city and worked around the corner from Buckingham Palace for several years. She loves exploring the surrounding area, and used her own experience alongside online research to compile the roundup.

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The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Buckingham Palace

Buckingham palace ultimate guide.

Many tourists feel surprised when their free walking tours of Westminster take them to the entrance of Buckingham Palace. From the outside, this famous landmark may look like a dismal, grey building that doesn’t have much to offer. But in a classic case of  “don’t judge a book by its cover”, this grey building is essentially the epicentre of royal London which serves as the official royal residence of the Queen, as well as the administrative headquarters for the British monarchy.

Dating back to 1703, Buckingham Palace was originally built for the Duke of Buckingham (hence the name), but was eventually transformed into an official residence for several notable royals such as George IV, Queen Victoria, Edward VII, William IV, and many more.

Both Edward VII and William IV were born at Buckingham Palace, and Queen Elizabeth II gave birth to both her sons (Prince Charles and Prince Andrew) inside the palace as well. Queen Victoria was the first member of the British royal family to rule from Buckingham Palace, and held countless lavish costume balls, concerts and events inside the palace throughout her reign.

Buckingham Palace Highlights

Buckingham Palace has around 775 rooms including 19 state rooms, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 78 bathrooms, 92 offices, and even a cinema, swimming pool, post office and police station. (It even has its own postal code!)

Out of the hundreds of rooms inside the palace, the most famous are The Grand Hall, The State Dining Room (which is used by presidents and prime ministers from all over the world), The White Drawing Room (which is used as a Royal reception room) and The Bow Room (which is used to entertain guests during the Royal Garden Parties). The Throne Room is also the setting for various formal royal family photographs (such as the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge).

The Buckingham Palace gardens are also famous in their own right, and are often described as “a walled oasis in the middle of London”. The gardens boast more than 350 different types of wildflowers, over 200 trees, a three-acre lake, and even tennis courts (where King George VI and Fred Perry used to play during the 1930s).

The eastern front of the palace (the side which is the most visible to the public), is perhaps the most famous as it is where members of the royal family step out onto the balcony to wave to the crowds; (however, this only occurs during royal weddings, events and celebrations). The street which leads to Buckingham Palace (also known as “The Mall”) is also famous as it serves as a “ceremonial approach” route to the palace.

Special Tips

Getting There

Visiting buckingham palace.

Tours of Buckingham Palace are only offered during the summer months, and the majority of the rooms are closed to the public. However, The State Rooms, The Queen’s Gallery and the Royal Mews are open to visitors.

The tours last for approximately two and a half hours, and photography and video recording is strictly forbidden inside the Palace (you can however, take photographs and videos of the gardens).

Eating and drinking is strictly forbidden inside the State Rooms, but you will be able to buy refreshments at a café at the end of your tour. The café offers tea, coffee, juice, cakes and sandwiches, and closes at 5:45 p.m.

Ticket prices and Opening Hours

Buckingham Palace is open from:

• 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (with last admission at 5:15 p.m.) from 14 July to 31 August
• 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (with last admission at 4:15 p.m.) from the 1st September to 24 September

In order to see the inside of the Palace, you will need to book a tour beforehand, and there are three different tours available:

• Buckingham Palace Standard Admission Tour costs £30 for adults, £19.50 for young adults between 18 and 24 years, £16.50 for children between 5 and 17 years, and the disabled. (There is a family discount for bookings of at least 1 adult and 2 children, up to 2 adults and 4 children. Groups of 15 or more receive a 10% discount).
• The Royal Day Out Tour (which includes The State Rooms, The Queen’s Gallery, and the Royal Mews) costs £55.80 for adults, £36.40 for young adults between 18 and 24 years, and £31 for children between 5 and 17 years and the disabled. (There is a family discount for bookings of at least 1 adult and 2 children, up to 2 adults and 4 children).
• The Exclusive Evening Tour (an exclusive visit after the Palace closes its doors to the public, limited to 30 guests on each tour) costs £90.00 per person and requires mandatory booking in advance.

Children under the age of five can get in for free for any of the tours.

If you are checking out Buckingham Palace, you might also want to join any of the free tours in London  that are available on offer.

Free Tours in Your Language

Buckingham Palace: All what you need to know before visiting it!

More than 50, 000 people visit Buckingham Palace every year. The Palace is not only the center of the UK royalty, it is also an amazing edifice with cultural implications and historical relevance.

An attack on the palace, for example, would equate to an issue of threat against national security.

Little wonder why people rack the internet all the time for information about the magnificent castle-like Buckingham palace .

This article will attend to the top 20 most asked questions about Buckingham palace.

So, let’s dive right in!

1. Where is the Buckingham Palace?

Buckingham Palace is located at London SW1A 1AA, United Kingdom .

There are many routes that you can pass through when visiting Buckingham Palace. The most common routes are interlinked with underground stations and bus routes. 

The closest underground station is Green Park, Hyde Park Corner, and Victoria Stations. You could also board Bus numbers 11, 221, C1, and C10 which will take you straight to the heart of the palace.

The palace is adjoined by St. James Park on the east and Green Park on the north within a stone’s throw.

2. Does anyone live in Buckingham Palace?

Yes. Buckingham Palace has been the home to UK’s royal family since 1837.

Queen Victoria was the first monarch to live there and all the ancestry of the crown spent significant periods of their formative years in the palace.

Today, it serves as the administrative headquarters for the Royal family and the Queen’s official home. Since the death of her husband Prince Phillip in 2021, the Queen lives in the palace.

There is conflicting news as to how many staffs actually live in the castle as aids, but we know of a fact that there  are 188 staff  rooms in the palace. 

The palace is also the London residence of Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward and his family.

3. Does the royal family own Buckingham Palace?

No. In 1761, the Buckingham palace was purchased by King Gorge III and it passed on to George IV upon his demise. However, their  Wills  was never settled. 

The Buckingham Palace is now occupied by the royal family in trust for the crown. It has been passed down for centuries as the royal abode but it is not owned by the Queen.  

4. Why is Buckingham Palace so popular?

There are many palaces in the world, and even in the United Kingdom, people have always wondered what made Buckingham palace so popular. There are more than a handful of these, some reasons include:

• The palace is famous because it is the home of the Queen of England and the headquarters of the administration of the monarch.
• All official royal banquets and events are hosted at the Buckingham palace making it a desirable location to be invited into.
• The palace is also favored for its beautiful and almost surreal architecture and magnificent aura.
• The palace’s gardens are extensive and famous and perfect for a walk.
• The Palace has a rich history, original art, and artifacts, and is open for tourism purposes. It is a historical castle that is like a museum and also a palace of a real-life monarch, etc.

5. Why is Buckingham Palace so called?

People often wonder why Buckingham Palace is so-called when Buckinghamshire is about 65miles away from the palace.

The palace was named after John Sheffield who was the Duke of Buckingham and also the owner of the building in 1703. At the time, it was called the Buckingham house.

The building was eventually sold to George III by John Sheffield’s illegitimate son for £21, 000. It would then begin its journey into royalty, prestige, and honor.

6. Is Buckingham Palace worth visiting?

Yes. Buckingham Palace has its neoclassical look, it is an amazing sight to behold and a great place to tour. The tour is often unrushed, guided, and open to the public. It has ancient markings and anecdotes to its location and is rich in history.

There are also nice locations to take a shot, and you get to explore the halls of the palace and see the Queen’s Own Bat-Signal.

You could see the Changing of Guards ceremony, the Royal staterooms, the Royal Mews, the artwork of the Queen’s Gallery, the household Calvary museum, the clearance house, etc.

7. How old is Buckingham Palace?

The current structure of Buckingham Palace is 319 years old. They were mostly built by the Duke of Buckingham and enlarged/ expanded between 1703 – 1709 by George III and his descendants.

There were however older structures on the site as far back as 1674 but it was then known as the Goring House (which was burnt down), and then the Arlington House in 1675.

8. How many staff are in Buckingham Palace?

According to  Insider , there are 1,133 staffs who work for the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

It is unclear how many of these actually live in the palace but the Royal family’s official website states that  most  of the Queen’s staff work and live in the palace.

9. Who guards Buckingham Palace?

The  Queen’s Guard ,  British Guards , and  Queen’s Life Guard  are in charge of protecting the Buckingham palace .

Also, two regiments of the British Army of soldiers are assigned to guard Buckingham Palace, they include horse guards and foot soldiers.

10. Do Buckingham Palace employees sleep?

There is no need to fret over your rest as a worker in Buckingham castle.

Although the roles are no ordinary housekeeping jobs as often advertised, employees of the Buckingham castle sleep and live in the castle.

What’s more important to worry about is the low wages which are often complained about by workers and the restrictions (such as movements during odd hours or keeping a pet).

According to  Forbes , employees of the palace do sleep but on-site jobs may not be as amazing as it seems in the ads.

11. Is there a swimming pool in Buckingham Palace?

Yes. Buckingham Palace has a big size swimming that is open to employees and members of the royal family.

12. Is there an elevator in Buckingham Palace?

Who wouldn’t wonder if there is an elevator in the 108 meters high Buckingham palace? Or do the royalty have sentimental value for old staircases and royal climbs? Unfortunately, as fun as that seems, it is not so.

There are about 9 elevators in Buckingham palace but those who live there say many of the elevators are old and cranky and workers often run on foot to get around their duties.

13. Can you go inside Buckingham Palace?

Yes. The Buckingham Palace is open to visitors all. This year, it is open from July 22 to October 2, 2022. 

14. Are there tunnels under Buckingham Palace?

Maybe, maybe not. There are many rumors that there are tunnels under the Buckingham palace leading to various locations in London, including a bar. But they have not been confirmed and for now, we cannot for sure.

15. Does Buckingham Palace have a basement?

Yes. It appears that Buckingham Palace has a basement. Sometime in 2019, it was rumored that an ATM had been installed in the Palace’s basement.

16. Can you take photos inside Buckingham Palace?

Unfortunately, no. If you will be sneaking a shot, you better not get caught.

It is prohibited to take photos inside Buckingham Palace , but you may be allowed to take a shot outside the palace, for example, while watching the change of guards or from across the palace.

17. Can you walk around Buckingham Palace?

Yes, you can walk around the Buckingham palace but restricted areas will be barred as guards will be stationed there. 

18. How long is the Buckingham Palace tour?

It will take about 3hours to complete the Buckingham Palace tour through the staterooms and the significant sights.

The palace is often open between July to October yearly between the hours of 9:30 am – 16:15 pm (between September to October) and 17:15 pm (between July to August).

19. How much does Buckingham Palace cost? 

Here’s a breakdown of how much it costs to tour Buckingham Palace.

• Adults: £30 to tour the staterooms. £55 if combined with the royal day out
• Young persons 18-24: £19.50. £36 if combined with the royal day out.
• Children or disabled persons: £16.50. £30 if combined with a royal day out.
• Children under age 5 can tour for free. 

If you are coming in a group of 15 persons or more, all the adults get to pay only £27; the young persons will pay £17.50, and children or disabled persons will pay £14.80. Children under age 5 can tour for free. 

20. Can you visit Buckingham Palace for free?

Yes, if you are under the age of 5. No, if you are an adult. You will be required to pay the entrance fee as highlighted above.

That was fun! See you in the next article as we explore other remarkable sites.

Further reading

• What Is The Most Expensive Palace in The World?
• How Much Does it Cost to Maintain a Castle?

8 Amazing Reasons to visit the beautiful Buckingham Palace

by annisa | Apr 9, 2019 | Things to do in London | 0 comments

Table of Contents

8 Reasons why you should visit Buckingham Palace

Discover Buckingham Palace, home to more than a hundred years of royal history. Join the State Rooms tour every summer where you’ll learn all about the British monarchy’s life including Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and Queen Elizabeth II. Explore St. James’ Park and The Green Park, 2 royal parks that were once the grounds for royal hunting and recreational purposes. Enjoy the Changing of the Guards at 11am where you will hear procession of bands and music as they change positions. Read more about the history of Buckingham Palace and its monarchy. Below are 8 Reasons to visit Buckingham Palace.

Buckingham Palace has always been number 1 on a traveller’s bucket list of things to do in London. The Palace is rich in history and medieval stories about the royal family. With so many events happenings in and around the Palace, the various major attractions surrounding it, it is no surprise that it’s one of the most visited attractions in London. There are thousands of reasons why people visit Buckingham Palace. 

The history of Buckingham Palace

The history of Buckingham Palace is an interesting one. Its history dates to the 17th Century, long ago when James I reigned the monarch. Previously called Buckingham House, James I planted mulberries to tend to silkworms in the House Gardens. Much later, George III bought the Place for his wife Queen Charlotte and their children whilst still residing in St. James’ Palace.

When George III son George IV became king in 1820, he decided he wanted Buckingham House to be turned into a palace, hence the name “Buckingham Palace.” Ever since then, the many lines of the British monarchy have made the Palace their homes. Presently, it’s used for administration purposes and major ceremonies.

Visit Buckingham Palace’s website here .

So, here are 8 reasons why you should visit Buckingham Palace.

1. Take a walking tour to Buckingham Palace

If Buckingham Palace is the first thing to do on your bucket list, the first thing you want to do is take a walking tour. It’s a good starting point to navigate your way around the palace and the attractions around it.  Golden Tours is the best London tours in and around London. In the Golden Tours section, check out the walking tours here . Alternatively, check out the free walking tour from Strawberry Tours .

From visiting the State Rooms to learning about the facts and figures regarding Buckingham Palace, you’ll be immersed and knowledgeable about the Royals and VIPs involved within the palace who have made massive impacts in our community. The local guide will give you more information about the palace and you can ask any questions you may have.

The best time to go is during the end of spring and the beginning of summer. It does get hot between July and August, at times, it gets uncomfortable when you’re out in the hot sunshine. During March to June, the air still has a cool breeze while still enjoying the summer weather.

Alternatively, take a self-guided tour on your own, this way, you can take as much time as you want. You can enjoy the crowds gathering outside the palace, taking photos, hang around by the Victoria Memorial statue and stroll through St. James’ Park or Green Park. Check out my West End walk for inspiration.

2. Changing of the Guards

The Changing of the Guards in London gives London that special icing on the cake. Music and bands play during the ceremony and happens at 11 am. Days vary depending on the season but usually happens on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, daily in the summer. My advice is to get there at 10 in the morning, spend your time in front of the memorial, St. James’ Park or The Green Park. It gets really crowded because if you miss your spot, you’ll be at the back of the queue.

Alternatively, you can watch the Changing of the Guards in Horse Guard Parade. The advantage here is that there aren’t that many people as the one in Buckingham Palace. Read all about my time at Horse guard Parade here (link)

In Buckingham Palace, see if you can get to the left side of the main gate, where you can see a good view of the ceremony.

Find out here for current and future schedules and more information on the Changing of the Guards here.

3. Buckingham Palace is in the top 10 attractions to visit.

With more than 1.5 million visitors a year, it is no surprise Buckingham Palace is in one of the top 10 visited attractions in London. People from all over the world come to London specifically for the royal family.

Ceremonies like Trooping of the Colours, royal weddings and funerals, the Changing of the Guards and the fact that it’s near St. James’ Park, the Green Park, Piccadilly Street that links to Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace is in the middle of the hustle and bustle of city life, but it’s relatively quiet compared to other areas of the West End like Leicester Square, Piccadilly and Oxford Street.

When there’s nothing going on, people take photos of the British guards outside the palace behind the huge iron gates. It’s the best time to visit if you don’t like crowds and it’s very peaceful when there’s nothing going on. People tend to hang around in The Victoria Memorial and glance at the guards standing still.

The view of the guards from the gates are quite far for security reasons, but once you see the guards for a few minutes, you can take photos and move on to other attractions nearby. There are still usually people crowding outside but it’s quiet compared to big events. Everything that involves the Queen, or any royal family happens in Buckingham Palace.

If there are major ceremonies such as Trooping of the Colours, royal weddings, and funerals, they would drive and walk through The Mall and crowds of people from all over the world would gather around the fenced pavements.

4. Buckingham Palace is next to 3 Royal Parks

Hyde Park, St. James’ Park and Green Park   are three amazing royal parks Buckingham Palace is close to. The Green Park offers quiet retreats and open spaced greenery, trees, memorials and so much more. The Green Park isn’t as colourful as St. James’ Park but during spring, daffodils, and colourful flowers bloom around the park and on trees. The only downside to the Green Park flowers is the allergies from pollen. It can also be muddy after a rainy day.

The famous Hyde Park is a few minutes’ walk away from the palace. Major events happen here. Along with sunbathing in summer, enjoy music festivals and charity concerts held for the nation.

Why not visit Winter Wonderland during Christmas, hear the screaming children and adults on the colourful, flashing lights on rides, dance the night away with festive music at the Bavarian Village and enjoy the taste of salty, sweet onion burgers and hot dogs accompanied with mustard, ketchup, mayonnaise, and fizzy drinks.

When there’s no major events, enjoy pedal boating on the Serpentine Lake and pedal your way among the geese and ducks, enjoying the hot summer sunshine, other people, and wildlife.

The best thing about Hyde Park is that it connects to Kensington Gardens. Princess Diana’s love for children means that children can splash their feet on the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain running along the edges of the park.

Visit Kensington Palace, home to Princess Diana and Queen Victoria. A few minutes’ walk, you can head over to Portobello Market for vintage and antiques. This area is the Notting Hill area, and you can see colourful houses that are Instagram worthy for your feed.

The squawking of geese and birds swimming or sleeping by the lake. The sounds of small sprinkling of water dropping from the fountain. The breeze sweeping off my face. The colourful flowerbeds; blues, yellows, purples, greens, and reds. The wooden bridge over the lake. People sunbathing in summer and children playing snowballs and making snow angels in the cold winter season make my time in St. James’ Park worthwhile.

Don’t forget, these parks have been around for more than a hundred years. It gets better every year. Find out more about the 8 Royal Parks of London .

The Green Park

Although Green Park doesn’t really have that many activities compared to St. James’ Park and Hyde Park, the park is filled with green grass, giant oak trees and memorials.

Children laugh and play by the memorials, joggers with their dogs, people reading books on a hot summer’s day, sunbathing, and enjoying the weather, people having lunch from nearby supermarkets, Green Park is still special for people who just want a simple, green, and outdoor space. Spend your time here to reflect, relax, socialise in nature.

St. James’ Park

St. James’ Park has more colour and wildlife such as pelicans, swans, and geese. In addition, from St. James’ Park, you can take beautiful photos of Buckingham Palace. Take advantage of colourful flowers, wildlife, the lake, and the pelicans in Duck Pond House. Feeding time for the pelicans is at 2:30pm every day, and feeding the pelicans is an experience that won’t go away. It’s great for families with young children and adults alike. Although at different times, it’s hard to spot and find them, when they’re there, you won’t regret meeting them.

Because of my love for nature, being close to the wildlife, trees, flowers, and the crowds of people really does boost my immune system and great for your mental health.

5. The State Rooms Tour

Between summer and autumn, Buckingham Palace is swarming with people from around the world visiting the State Rooms and its garden.

You’ll be immersed in more than one hour’s experience into the history and lives of the British Royal Family. Although the State Room talks about the Royal family in general, it mainly talks about the life of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert since Queen Victoria’s reign, the monarchy became powerful. She reigned for more than 60 years helping the monarchy modern, serving the poor.

The State Rooms Tour takes you on more than an hour’s experience into the history and lives of the British royal family, mainly Queen Victoria and our current Queen Elizabeth. It also tells you a lot about their lives at the palace, the meetings and social gatherings that goes on between their family.

Visiting the State Rooms involve booking a time slot when and what time to visit. You can download the Fever app on your mobile phone and pick a time slot for your visit.

With the Fever app, including the State Rooms Tour, you can see what events and attractions are happening in and around London. You are also able to choose the date and time for the event. You can also visit the Royal Mews tour next to Buckingham Palace.

Click   here to go to the State Rooms website and more information on opening hours, facts and figures of the State Rooms. Check out my time in the Buckingham Palace State Rooms .

6. The place for royal events

Royal weddings.

Do you remember when Prince Charles and Diana, Prince William and Kate, Prince Harry and Meghan and all the other royals got married at the famous balcony? The royal bride and groom get married in either Westminster Abbey or St. Paul’s Cathedral.

As crowds gather around Westminster Abbey, the church bell rings, ready for the royal couple to appear. Flags from around the world covered the fences. The flags from the United States, France, Germany, parts of Africa could be seen everywhere. This shows international visitors from all over the came to London just for the royal wedding.  

When hearing the church bells ring, it’s something many Brits would be proud of. Everyone sacrificed their usual TV programmes for this special day. That moment was the moment when everyone felt patriotic. To have one of the British members of the royal family getting married is something no other countries have and can compare to. I felt nervous for them, and I wasn’t even physically there, I watched it on TV.

Hundreds of police officers scatter by the entrance of Westminster Abbey, fences are put between police officers and the thousands of crowds. Screams and shouts could be heard, excitement mounting up to the bride’s appearance. I felt like a princess in a dream when I watched the ceremony on TV. Famous British politicians and monarchy from around the world appear one after another and took their seats.

As the black vintage Rolls Royce drives up The Mall, pass Buckingham Palace and stops in front of the entrance of Westminster Abbey, one of the foot guards open the door, holds his hand out for the bride. Thin, white, transparent veil cover the bride’s face. As she steps out of the vehicle, crowds’ wave at her while she waves back at them. The Queen’s guard transfers the bride’s hand to her father, and both walk down the aisle on a red carpet together. The long walk to the end of the Abbey takes time since.

As the wedding ceremony ends, the bride and groom are escorted to their black horse drawn carriage taking them back through The Mall and to Buckingham Palace. Tens of the Queen’s horse guards gallop out of Buckingham Palace to make way from the royal couple, thousands of more crowds gather around the Queen Victoria Memorial statue. This is the time when we see them kiss at the famous balcony, red curtains covering the balcony wall. However, from the Memorial it’s very far to see.

Trooping of the Colours

What about Trooping of the Colours where British Commonwealth armies perform a ceremony during the Queen’s birthday in June. She would travel down The Mall with her horse guards (Household Cavalry) and her foot guards. It has been a national tradition since the 17th Century to hold Trooping of the Colours. The regiment’s flags and colours were used as rallying points in the battlefield.

As tens of horse guards, music and the bands get ready to line up for the Queen’s birthday, several black open horse-drawn carriages gallop out of Buckingham Palace through The Mall. It’s usually the Queen’s Daughter and Granddaughter in Law, the Queen’s grandsons and partners go out first. As the National anthem plays, there is usually a sense of pride in the nation’s faces, the feeling of being patriotic. The big, dark brown horses gallop with their red coat and top hat riders first, then the Queen would make her appearance next, making her way to her birthday parade followed by four guards with her eldest daughter saluting in sync.

The Trooping of the Colours are held at the Horse Guard Parade. All around the Horse Guard Parade, seats are taken by the public to enjoy full view of the parade as the Queen is being escorted to the middle of the ground. Hundreds of her British guards and regiments, sitting tall on their horses stand in line in front of the Queen.

The parade finally starts. The Queen’s foot guards stand in squares, some stands still surrounding the Parade. The one in the middle gets ready to march towards the Queen. Trumpets and drums play patriotic music for a good 15 minutes. Then silence. Then, the second part of the parade starts again where marching and wooden horse drawn carriages gather to make the day that extra bit special.

7. The Mall

If you walk through The Mall from St. James’ Park, admire The Admiralty Arch, which will then lead you to Trafalgar Square. Usually, in spring and summer people sunbathe and socialise around here. When you’re with friends and family, especially with young children, the crowds at special ceremonies will make you feel a part of the community. It’s also a great idea to walk in Constitutional Walk since you have a good view of St. James’ Park and Buckingham Palace.

8. Walking distances from major tourist attractions

Buckingham Palace is walking distances to many major tourist attractions. I recommend visiting Buckingham Palace first thing in the morning and book the State Rooms at another time or another day since it can take at least 2 hours in there. As you admire the outer sections of the Palace, walk through The Mall next to St. James’ Park, you’ll reach The Admiralty Arch and   Trafalgar Square.

Once you get to Trafalgar Square, you have several options to take within walking distances. Visit the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery, Leicester Square and Covent Garden. Leicester Square links to   Piccadilly Circus   and Piccadilly Circus links to Regent Street, Piccadilly, Shaftesbury Avenue for major theatre shows. Regent Street links to Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road.

If you go through the Admiralty Archway, turn right, you’d be in Whitehall. Whitehall have major attractions such as Downing Street, Horse guard Parade and many memorials and statues of important politicians scattered around the street. Check out my time at  Changing of the Guards Horse guard Parade .

With Horse guard Parade, after the Changing of the Guards, you can get up close and personal with the horses. Don’t agitate them or the guards, remember they’re there to protect the Queen. Respect them. There’s usually a small crowd taking photos with them.

When you reach Downing Street, you aren’t allowed to go in. There are usually people crowding around to see a glimpse of the door but really, you’re not able to see it since it’s covered with a group of policemen and the high ironed gates. Sometimes, there are protests about the economy.

Further up, you’ll end up in Westminster where you’ll see Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, the River Thames, London Eye, London Dungeon, Sea life Aquarium, Shrek the Experience and walk on the strip of Southbank. On the Southbank there are more things to do and attractions to see.

Southbank is walking distances from The Shard, Tower of London, Tower Bridge, London Bridge and Borough Market. If you want to know more about the South Bank area, click for   31 Things to do in Southbank. Click for my experience in   The Tower of London.

So, there you have it. Buckingham Palace is number one on my list. If you have any questions regarding Buckingham Palace, feel free to contact me on Facebook, but for now, take care and be safe.

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England , Europe , London

Visiting buckingham palace in london – how to plan it and what to expect.

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If you are heading to London for the first time, chances are that seeing Buckingham Palace is on your itinerary. After all, the Royal residence is one of the top attractions and one of the most recognizable buildings in the city. Most people head to the Palace to see the exterior and witness the Changing of the Guard ceremony, but not many realize, that you can actually step inside of the Palace as well. The only thing is, you have to be there at the right time, as visiting Buckingham Palace is only possible when the Queen leaves for her summer vacation.

Buckingham Palace became the Royal residence in 1837, when Queen Victoria moved in and it has been home of the British Family ever since. The Palace has also served as administrative headquarters of the monarch and it’s one of few working Palaces left in the world. In 1993 Queen Elizabeth decided to open up the Palace to visitors, as a way to earn extra funds for the Windsor Castle, that was in desperate need of repairs. The opportunity to take a glimpse into the Royal life became an instant hit, with thousands of people visiting Buckingham Palace each year.

Whether you are a fan of the Royal family or not, I do recommend visiting Buckingham Palace as part of your trip to London. It’s not everyday, that you get to step inside of one of the most iconic places in the country. This guide includes all the information you need to plan you visit and get the most out of it.

Table of Contents

When can you visit Buckingham Palace?

If visiting Buckingham Palace is something you’d like to put on your London itinerary, you do have to plan your visit at a right time of the year. While you can see the Palace from the outside year round, the inside is open to visitors for 10 weeks only. And that is, when King Charles leaves to spend his summer vacation in Scotland.

In 2024, the Buckingham Palace will be open for tours from July 11 – September 29. In July and August the opening hours are from 9.30 am – 7.30 pm ( with the last admission at 5.15 pm ) and in September from 9.30 am – 6.30 pm ( last admission at 4.15 pm ). The State Rooms will be closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so plan your trip accordingly!

Buckingham Palace tickets

Once you have your travel plans in order and you plan on visiting Buckingham Palace, make sure to book your tickets way in advance. Since the access to the Palace is limited to 10 weeks, and those weeks happen to be during the busy summer season, tickets do sell out quickly.

There are a few different tickets to choose from, but touring the State Rooms is why most people visit the Palace. These tickets have a timed entry, so if you have a preferred time slot, I recommend booking it weeks in advance. No matter which ticket you choose, be sure to print out the voucher to exchange it for a ticket the day of your visit. The State Rooms voucher can be exchanged at the Buckingham Palace Ticket Office. If you book either The Royal Mews or A Royal Day Out, those vouchers can be exchanged at The Royal Mews Ticket Office.

Even tough tickets have a timed entry, once you are in, there’s no limit on how long you can stay. Here are all the options of tickets, depending on what interests you and how long you want to spend at Buckingham Palace.

• The State Rooms – this ticket allows you to visit the 19 State Rooms on a self guided tour, that includes the audio guide. Book your State Rooms tickets here.
• The Royal Mews – this ticket allows you to visit the stables. The Royal Mews is actually open to visitors from May to October, so even if you are in London, when the Palace itself is closed to visitors, you can still visit the Royal Mews. The opening hours are 11 am – 5 pm ( with the last admission at 4 pm ) every day except Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Book your Royal Mews ticket here.
• The Queen’s Gallery – if you are an art lover, you will probably enjoy visiting the Queens Gallery. As avid art collectors, the Queen and her family, accumulated an impressive collection. Book your Queen’s Gallery tickets here.
• The Royal Day Out – this ticket includes the State Rooms, The Queen’s Gallery and the Royal Mews. Your visit will start with a timed entry to The Queen’s Gallery, followed by a visit to the Royal Mews. The State Rooms visit is also timed, and starts automatically 2 hours and 15 minutes after the Royal Day Out started. Book your Royal Day Out tickets here.

Which ticket you choose, will depend on your interests. Obviously, if you want to have the full experience, the Royal Day Out is your best choice. If you only want to see the State Rooms, which for many is the highlight, you can book that ticket separately. However, I do recommend adding The Royal Mews to your visit. Since I personally had no interest in the Queens Gallery, I booked The State Rooms and the Royal Mews tickets separately.

PRO TIP 1: If you’d like to see the front of Buckingham Palace without the massive crowds, book an earlier ticket. This way when you get to there to pick it up, there won’t be many people at the front gate.

PRO TIP 2 : If you would like to catch the Changing of the Guard ceremony, book the State Room ticket at 12 pm or later.

Visiting Buckingham Palace in the Summer 2024

In the summer of 2024, the Buckingham Palace will be open to visitors from July 11 through September 29. You have a choice of visiting The State Rooms only, The Royal Mews only or book A Royal Day Out, which also includes a visit to the Queens Gallery and the Royal Mews. Just like before, all the tickets have a timed entry.

• The State Rooms – the highlight of the visit to Buckingham Palace are the State Rooms, which will be open every day, but Tuesdays and Wednesdays! You can book your State Rooms ticket here.
• The Royal Mews – this part of the Palace opens to visitors in May, which is several weeks before the State Rooms open. Book your Royal Mews ticket here.
• A Royal Day Out – if you are interested in seeing the Queens Gallery and Royal Mews in addition to the State Rooms, you definitely want to book A Royal Day Out ticket. It’s the best value and grants you access to all three venues. You can book your Royal Day Out ticket here.

Visiting Buckingham Palace – things to know

Buckingham Palace entrance – if you are facing the Palace, the entrance to the State Rooms is on the left hand side of it. That’s where you also pick up your prebooked tickets.

Security – before you can begin the tour, you will have to go through an airport style security, so make sure to arrive a few minutes earlier. This happens in the Palace, as well before entering the Royal Mews.

Free audio guide is included – your ticket includes a free audio guide, that comes in multiple languages ( English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese )

How long does it take? – this will depend on what kind of ticket you purchase. If you want to see the State Rooms only, plan 2 hours for that. This will give you enough time to walk through the rooms at a nice pace, without rushing through them. If you plan on visiting the Royal Mews as well, add another 45 minutes. For the full experience, which is the Royal Day Out, set aside 4 hours.

Photography is not allowed inside of the Palace – which is always a bummer when you visit such an iconic place as Buckingham Palace. Taking photos is not allowed inside of the Palace, but photography is allowed in the Palace Gardens and the Mews.

Visiting Buckingham Palace

The state rooms.

As you can probably figure out by looking at it, Buckingham Palace is huge. There are 775 rooms total, but visitors only get access to 19 of them. These are the State Rooms, located in the west wing of the Palace, that are used for public events, official ceremonies and banquets. The rest of the rooms, including the Queen’s and staff’s private rooms and offices are off limits. Even though taking a peak into the Queen’s bedroom will not happen, visiting Buckingham Palace is still an amazing experience.

As I already mentioned above, you tour the State Rooms with the help of an audio guide. This is a self guided tour, but you do follow a designated route. This means, that you can take your time visiting particular rooms, but there is no way to go back and revisit rooms you’ve previously walked through.

The tour starts at the Grand Entrance, while Prince Charles himself greets you on the audio guide. Before you start making your way through the State Rooms, you end up at the bottom of one of the most stunning parts of the Palace, and that is the Grand Staircase. It is truly spectacular, and as you make your way up, you can just imagine all the people who’ve walked the same stairs. It’s quite a surreal feeling.

Once you get upstairs, you start making your way through the State Rooms. These are the rooms, that are used during official ceremonies and when the Queen receives guests, so you’ll most likely recognize at least some of them from news coverage. The White Drawing Room, State Dining Room, Music Room and the spectacular Ball Room are just the few of the ones you get to see. The most recognizable of them all and one of the favorites is always the the Throne Room. It features the thrones used in the 1953 coronation ceremony of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. But you will most likely recognize it as the setting of the official wedding photos.

Buckingham Palace Summer Exhibition

Part of the State Room visit is a special Exhibition put on by the Palace and every year it has a different theme. The theme of the Summer 2024 Exhibition is yet to be announced.

Buckingham Palace Gardens

Once you’ve seen the last of the State Rooms, the tour brings you out to the back of the Palace and you enter the Palace Gardens. Occupying the 39 acres, the beautiful garden is home to 350 species of flowers and the habitat for 30 species of birds. Some of the garden’s best features are the 19th century lake and the Queen’s Rose garden. The Palace Garden is also where the Queen holds her annual summer garden parties. When you take the path towards the exit, you’ll get a glimpse of it, but that’s just a tiny fraction of the garden. The rest of it can only be seen on a special tour.

The Royal Mews

The Royal Mews is a working stable and where the historic carriages and coaches are kept. During your visit, you can get a close look at the carriages, that are used by the Royal family for coronations, weddings and special occasions.

The most impressive is without a doubt the Gold State Coach, that is on display at the Carriage House. The stunning, almost over the top coach weighs 4 tons and it takes 8 horses to pull it. The Gold State Coach has been used for every coronation since 1821, including that of Queen Elizabeth’s in 1953. Other than that, it doesn’t get much use and its last outing was in 2002 for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee celebrations .

In 2024, The Royal Mews will be open to public from March 1 – November 3, which means it opens earlier than the Palace itself. So if you are in London before the State Rooms open, it gives you a great opportunity to get a glimpse into the Royal life, even with the Palace itself still closed to visitors. Just like the State Rooms, The Royal Mews is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace

One of the London attractions that always draws crowds is the Changing of the Guard ceremony. This is the Buckingham Palace experience, that you can enjoy year round and for free. It takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays and daily in the summer. The ceremony starts at 11 am and lasts about 45 minutes. The schedule is weather permitting and subject to change so make sure to check this website for any changes before you visit.

If you want make Changing of the Guard a part of your Buckingham Palace experience, plan accordingly. The ceremony starts at 11 am sharp, but people start gathering at the gate quite early. If you hope to get a good spot, showing up around 10 am is a good idea. And of course, you need to make sure your State Room tickets are booked for 12 pm or later.

How to get to Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is located in Westminster and you can easily get there from wherever you’re staying via the London tube. The three Underground stations closest to the Palace are:

• Victoria (Victoria line)
• Green Park (Victoria and Piccadilly line)
• Hyde Park Corner (Piccadilly line).

No matter which one you choose, you will have about a 10 minute walk from the station to the Palace.

PRO TIP: Download the free Citymapper app before your trip to London! It’s the best public transport app out there, that helps you find the best way to get places.

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9 thoughts on “ Visiting Buckingham Palace in London – how to plan it and what to expect! ”

Oooh, I was lucky enough to get tickets to Buckingham Palace in late August one year and had such an awesome time. It’s just so beautiful, you’re right, it’s one of those things that you have to experience one in you’re life if you’re in London.

I wish I found your blog post before I went to Buckingham Palace the first time! I had no idea you could go inside now and again – what a fantastic experience that would be – much better than just standing at the gate as we did! We’ll be in London again though, saving your tips so we can do it better this time. It’s so beautiful there, certainly worth another visit I reckon. Thanks for sharing.

Oh yeah, it’s definitely a much better experience, than looking at the Palace through the gate. The State Rooms are stunning, the only bummer is that you can’t take pictures. However, that is not unusual in places like this.

Such a useful resource, thanks for sharing! Can you believe I’ve been living in London for 8 years and still haven’t been to Buckingham Palace?? I’ll have to go one day!

I think that’s always the case when you live somewhere. I still haven’t done a lot of touristy things in Boston, and I’ve lived here for years:)

I did this before I moved here, beautiful inside!

So wish I would have done some of this stuff when I was there! I just chilled by the fountain! 🙂 Hopefully I’ll get back there one day and check out the horse stables for sure!

Make sure to visit the stable, even if you visit when the State Rooms are not open.

This is so cool! I was here a couple years ago but only for the changing of the guards. This makes me want to go back! 😁

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Buckingham Palace Visit: State Rooms Tour

W ant to visit the inside of Buckingham Palace? This working royal palace, one of the homes of King Charles, is one of the most popular London attractions. However, most of the time, while you can see the changing of the guards and the exterior, you can’t go inside the castle.

But, for approximately ten weeks in the summer (and select times during the rest of the year), your Buckingham Palace visit can include a tour of the staterooms. If your travels take you to London, you can tour the interior of the castle during this time.

During our recent visit to London, we were fortunately there during one of the weeks that it was open. We really enjoyed our visit and were thrilled that we were there during one of the open weeks. Planning a Buckingham Palace visit? Here’s what you’ll need to know.

Disclosure: We paid our own way for this trip. This post contains affiliate links and a purchase/click through one of these links may result in a commission paid to us at no additional cost to you.

Booking Tickets to the Buckingham Palace State Rooms

Tickets to tour the Buckingham Palace state rooms can be booked through the official website. You’ll definitely want to purchase these in advance because they are timed tickets.

When you order the tickets, you will choose the date and time that you want to visit. I knew that we’d want to sleep in a bit that morning, but would also want to maximize our day. So, I chose the 10:30 a.m. time on our first full day in London.

When I purchased the tickets, I was glad to see that there was a deal for families, which included 2 adults and 3 kids under 17. It’s was a better deal than purchasing individual tickets for a family of four.

In addition to the standard stateroom tickets, there’s also the Royal Day Out package. Those tickets include the Queen’s Gallery, the Royal Mews, and the State Rooms. Because we only had a limited amount of time, I opted for only the State Rooms tour.

The Buckingham Palace State Room Tour

Once we arrived at Buckingham Palace, we followed the signs to the State Rooms tour. It’s always crowded around the palace, and most people don’t have tickets to enter the palace. So, you do need to maneuver around a bit to get to where you want to be.

There was a line to enter the tour. We were told by the staff to enter the line around 10 minutes before our ticketed time. Once we got into the main area, we waited until they let our group in. After a security check, we were able to get the multimedia tour devices.

There are two options for the multimedia tour – the regular adult tour and the family tour. Although the family tour is recommended for children under the age of 12, my kids and I selected that one. It’s narrated by Alice the Footman and Rex the Corgi and is definitely great for kids.

As you walk through the staterooms, you’ll see signs indicating the number that you’ll need to press on the multimedia tour. The family tour is perfect for kids, because it explains everything that you’ll see, but does it in a fun way that children will enjoy. My kids were never bored listening to the tour and completely understood the narration.

Seeing the rooms was absolutely worth the money and time. It’s amazing to think of all of the historic events and amazing people that have been in those rooms.

At the end of the stateroom tour, we returned our multimedia devices and headed into the gardens. They are beautiful and so peaceful. It was surprising how quiet it was – it really didn’t feel like the center of a bustling capital city. They’d be a great spot for London family photos .

There are also restrooms and a cafe located in the gardens. It’s a bit of a walk to the exit, and we passed by an adorable little ice cream stand before reaching the street.

Tips for a Buckingham Palace Visit

If you are visiting during one of the weeks that the state rooms are open, I definitely recommend purchasing tickets. It’s such a unique experience. Here are my tips for visiting:

• Buy tickets in advance. Since you have to choose a time, you’ll be able to have a better chance of getting your choice if you purchase early.
• Use the restroom before entering the line. There’s one at the end of the tour, but you won’t have access to a restroom during the tour.
• Plan to spend at least 60 minutes touring. We were told that it would take about 2 hours, however, it didn’t take quite that long for us. You can spend more time if you choose to, however, since it’s pretty much self-guided.
• But, make sure you take your time, especially in the gardens. You don’t want to rush through the tour.
• You’ll need to check large bags and strollers, so keep that in mind.
• Arrive at the state rooms line about 10 minutes in advance.

To check opening dates and purchase tickets, visit the Royal Collection Trust website .

The post Buckingham Palace Visit: State Rooms Tour appeared first on Family Travel Magazine .

Visit the Magnificent Gardens at Buckingham Palace

T his summer, more than ever, it is important to spend more time outdoors when out and about. With this in mind, why not take a pleasant stroll and even a picnic around the magnificent gardens of Buckingham palace.

Now, for the first time ever, the public can get exclusive access to the gardens and uncover the gardens beauty with unseen views of Buckingham Palace as a backdrop.

Garden Highlights.

Visitors can walk without restrictions amongst the sizeable plot of 39 acres. There are around 325 different species of plants to take in as well as around 1000 trees. Some trees were even planted by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

The famous Herbaceous border which stretches out to over 155Meters is a sight to behold and do not miss the palace lake, complete with waterfall and secluded island with Beehives for the royal Bees.

In addition, you can purchase a guided tour of the gardens which also include the spectacular Rose Garden and charming Wildflower meadow.

During your meander around the magnificent gardens and sweeping lawns you are allowed to have your own picnic. Do not worry however if you did not bring some tasty cuisine as you can also buy delectable food and drink inside the gardens.

How to get there

Nearest Tube Stations: Green Park, Victoria, Hyde Park Corner, St James Park. By Bus: C1, C10, 211 & 11 all have stops on Buckingham Palace Road.

Entrance to the garden

Access to the Buckingham Palace gardens is via the Royal Mews on Buckingham Palace Road. looking at the palace from the Victoria memorial, go down the left had side, passed the Queens Gallery and the Royal Mews entrance is on the right, opposite the Rubens Hotel.

The garden is open to the public from the 9th of July 2021 to the 19th of September 2021. It is open every day except Tuesdays and Wednesdays only.

Check availability to visit the gardens at Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace

Royal Family latest: 'Considerable turning point' as King greets well-wishers after church service

The King and Queen have attended church for an Easter service. They were joined by other royals at the annual service at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.

Sunday 31 March 2024 15:01, UK

• Princess of Wales
• Royal Family

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• King and Queen attend service as Charles greets well-wishers - Prince and Princess of Wales absent
• In pictures: Charles speaks with crowds  | Royals attend service
• Watch: Royal fan tells King to 'keep going strong' in touching exchange
•   'Cheering sights' of monarch mark 'considerable turning point' 
• Archbishop of Canterbury wishes King and Princess of Wales well
• Katie Spencer : 'Very significant day for the King'

In the meantime, you can scroll back to read today's coverage. 

By Katie Spencer , arts and entertainment correspondent

On a cold day at Windsor Castle those who'd lined up outside in the early hours hadn't been expecting much. 

It wasn't certain whether they'd even be let in but eventually they were and those who made it inside certainly got more than they bargained for from their royal encounter.

Just a brief glimpse of the monarch before the service - a wave, a smile, but sufficient to those who waited given his cancer treatment - then afterwards came the King Charles we're more used to seeing. 

Handshakes, jokes, smiles, laughter. 

The optics of a monarch who isn't hiding away but who is upbeat and in control.

A much smaller Easter gathering than in previous years but at a difficult time personally for him clearly this meant so much.

Perhaps an indication of how he is feeling in himself, certainly a sign of his determination to get back to work. Small steps but with big meaning.

A well-wisher told King Charles to "never give in" and "keep going strong" as the monarch greeted royal fans following the Easter service at Windsor today.

The 75-year-old monarch's treatment for cancer was announced at the start of February, but he has been carrying out low-key official duties behind palace walls.

Over the course of the month, he also welcomed a series of foreign officials to Buckingham Palace, including high commissioners of Jamaica, Tanzania and Singapore.

As he greeted crowds today, the King had a comical exchange with one royal fan.

The well-wisher said: "Your Majesty, Camilla is 17 now, my King Charles Spaniel. She's 17."

"Goodness me, I'd get a new one as well," the King jokingly replied.

Charles was applauded by crowds as he and the Queen re-emerged from St George's Chapel to cries of "Happy Easter".

The King shook hands and spoke with the crowds after attending the Easter Sunday service.

Many wished Charles a happy Easter as he spent several minutes greeting the line of people.

King Charles enjoys meeting people and will have been "reluctant" to leave the chapel grounds, Sky's royal commentator Alastair Bruce has said.

He said for the King and Queen their attendance at the Easter service today was a return "to some degree" to normality.

"I'm not in a position to guess how he is viewing his current situation or what a burden it must be to go through the various treatments he has to face but at the same time I think we witnessed in his Coronation a determination to dedicate himself," he said.

"He has been fulfilling his duties, constantly meeting ambassadors or meeting the prime minister who are important to the process of government.

"He will be reluctant to get into the state Bentley and leave a group of people who came out to see him on this day when that is what he really enjoys doing.

"When he gets to talk to people he has a very natural way, he has always wanted to have those moments."

King Charles and Queen Camilla have made their way out of St George's Chapel following the Easter Sunday service.

Camilla is handed an Easter bouquet from a young boy outside the chapel and the royals smile and wave.

The monarch walks over to the crowds gathered outside and shakes hands and speaks with them before entering his vehicle and leaving the grounds.

Today is a "considerable turning point" for the royals following the King's cancer diagnosis, a royal biographer has said.

Robert Hardman told Sky News: "If you compare where we are now with the King with where we were shortly after his cancer diagnosis, royalists everywhere will be pretty cheered up with the sights we are seeing in Windsor."

Mr Hardman went on to say ever since becoming monarch, Charles has had a "clear idea" of how he wants to handle being head of state.

He said he "genuinely likes being out there and meeting people".

The Archbishop of Canterbury has wished the King and Princess of Wales well in an Easter sermon at Canterbury Cathedral.

Justin Welby encouraged the congregation to "pray" for Charles and Kate, who are both undergoing treatment for cancer, and commended their "dignity" in responding to the diagnosis.

Mr Welby also praised the royals' "lack of selfishness" in speaking of their health.

Beginning his sermon, he said: "In each of our lives, there are moments which change us forever - sometimes it is individual.

"We have watched and sympathised with, and felt alongside, the dignity of the King and the Princess of Wales as they have talked of their cancer and in doing so, by their lack of selfishness, by their grace and their faith, boosted so many others."

Among the royals in attendance at the service today were the Princess Royal and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence.

Th Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Duke of York and Sarah, Duchess of York, were also seen arriving at the chapel.

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King Charles stresses importance of friendship 'in a time of need' after Princess Kate cancer diagnosis

LONDON — King Charles III delivered an Easter message Thursday stressing the importance of friendship, “especially in a time of need” — his first public remarks since Kate, the Princess of Wales , revealed she had become the second senior royal to be diagnosed with cancer .

The pre-recorded audio message comes ahead of the king’s attend ance at a service on Easter Sunday , in what will be his most significant public appearance since his own cancer diagnosis in February.

Charles, 75, was heard at a traditional Maundy Thursday service at Worcester Cathedral, near Birmingham in the West Midlands, some 130 miles northwest of London.

He spoke of how Jesus set an “example of how we should serve and care for each other,” and how “we need and benefit greatly from those who extend the hand of friendship to us, especially in a time of need,” according to the Press Association, a British news agency that typically reports royal announcements.

Buckingham Palace confirmed Wednesday that the king will attend the Easter Mattins Service at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle — one of the most important spiritual events in the royal calendar.

The king did not address his daughter-in-law’s health directly or name her in his brief personal message on Thursday. But royal watchers may interpret his words in the context of the ongoing family health crisis.

He also delivered a Bible reading.

The king did not appear in person at Thursday’s event — instead Queen Camilla deputized for him. Charles has stepped back from public engagements on medical advice.

The king’s public relations team also released a new picture of the monarch sitting at a desk in Buckingham Palace’s 18th Century Room, apparently recording his address into a microphone.

Charles has spoken of how touched he is by the outpouring of messages and cards from well-wishers from across the United Kingdom and beyond as he undergoes treatment for cancer, the exact type and stage of which the palace has not disclosed.

The king released a statement after Kate revealed her diagnosis last Friday, saying that he had become closer to his daughter-in-law through their shared hospital stays.

The king was “so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did,” the statement said.

The Royal Maundy service is part of the king’s role as the head of the Anglican Church. The monarch hands out specially made coins in white and red purses to 75 men and 75 women to reward them for good deeds such as charity work, a reference to the king’s age. Camilla performed that role on Thursday.

The event symbolizes the Last Supper, when Jesus washed the feet of disciples the day before Good Friday. The custom dates back to 600 A.D. and the coins have been in use since 1662, when Charles II distributed Maundy money.

Charles attended last year’s service at York Minster, following a tradition set by Queen Elizabeth II to hold it in different places across the U.K., not just in London.

The king continues to work behind the scenes while receiving treatment for cancer. On Tuesday, he met community and faith leaders from the Windsor Leadership charity at Buckingham Palace, and he continues to hold a weekly audience with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, albeit on at least one occasion by phone .

Patrick Smith is a London-based editor and reporter for NBC News Digital.

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Palace Rushed Kate Middleton’s Cancer Announcement Due to Leak Threat: Report

Princess Kate Middleton may not have had control over when news of her cancer diagnosis was made public.

Kensington Palace reportedly rushed to release the Princess of Wales’ cancer announcement video after news of her health condition had leaked. The Daily Mail ’s Ephraim Hardcastle column reported on Monday, April 1, that the palace had no choice but to rush the video’s release after being contacted about Kate’s diagnosis.

According to the outlet, whether or not the leak came from The London Clinic, where Kate underwent a January abdominal procedure, or elsewhere is unknown. Us Weekly has reached out to the palace for comment.

Kate revealed in a March 22 social media video that doctors discovered she had cancer following her abdominal surgery earlier this year. “My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy, and I’m now in the early stages of that treatment,” she explained at the time.

Related: A Timeline of Kate Middleton's Cancer Battle: Surgery, Chemo and More

Noting that the news came as a “huge shock” for her family, Kate went on to note that she and Prince William “have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family.” (The couple, who wed in 2011 , share kids Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5.)

“We hope that you’ll understand that as a family, we now need some time, space, and privacy while I complete my treatment,” she continued. “My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy, and I look forward to being back when I’m able. But for now, I must focus on making a full recovery.”

Just days before her diagnosis made headlines, news broke that Kate’s medical records had been the target of a security breach at The London Clinic. The Daily Mail reported at the time that hospital staffers allegedly tried to access her medical information following her January surgery.

“[There are] systems in place to monitor management of patient information and, in case of any breach, all appropriate investigatory, regulatory and disciplinary steps will be taken ,” The London Clinic’s CEO, Al Russell , said in a statement to NBC News last month. “There is no place at our hospital for those who intentionally breach the trust of any of our patients or colleagues.”

Prior to Kate’s cancer announcement, fans flooded the internet with theories and speculation about the princess’ health status and whereabouts as she had not made a public appearance since December 2023. Digital disinformation expert Martin Innes told The New York Times last month that several social media accounts behind the Kate conspiracies could potentially be linked to a Russian-based disinformation campaign .

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Related: Royal Family Members Who Have Supported Kate Middleton in Her Cancer Battle

“It provokes an emotional reaction,” Innes told the outlet on March 27. “The story was already being framed in conspiracy terms, so you can appeal to those people. And people who support the royal family get angry.”

Following her cancer announcement, the palace announced that Kate will not return to royal duties until for the foreseeable future. As a result, Kate, William, 41, and their kids did not attend the royal family’s Easter church service on Sunday, March 31, instead opting for a private holiday at home.

The Easter service did mark one of King Charles III ‘s few public appearances since being diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer in February. He returned to royal duties last month and has resumed hosting events at Buckingham Palace.

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