NEWS
Buckingham Palace opens room with famous balcony to visitors
Visitors to Buckingham Palace in London this summer will get to stand behind the famous balcony that the British royal family often poses on.
For the first time, the palace is opening the building’s East Wing, which includes the Centre Room where the iconic balcony is located.
“This room was part of the edition of the East Wing, made by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. And it was Prince Albert who suggested the balcony,” said Nicola Turner Inman, curator of Decorative Arts at Royal Collection Trust.
“It was first used in 1851 for waving off the troops for the Crimean War. So, it’s been in use for quite a long time,” she said.
Visitors will not be allowed to stand on the balcony.
But as well as being able to look through the net curtain down The Mall, there is also a newly restored 19th century glass chandelier shaped like a lotus flower to admire.
“For the public to be able to see the chandelier, not a glimpse of it from the mouth, but actually be in the room where it hangs is an exciting prospect,” said Turner Inman.