|
Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of Her Majesty The Queen and serves as both home and office.
Today the State Rooms are used extensively by The Queen and Members of the Royal Family to receive and entertain their guests on state, ceremonial and official occasions. During August and September when The Queen makes her annual visit to Scotland, the Palace's nineteen state rooms are open to Theatre Breaks visitors.
Begin with a visit to the Royal Mews, home to the magnificent Gold State Coach used for Weddings and Coronations and last used during The Queen's Golden Jubilee. You will then take an audio tour of the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace where the wedding reception will take place - the heart of the working palace and lavishly furnished with some of the greatest treasures from the Royal Collection including the new exhibition Royal Faberge.
The Royal Mews
One of the finest working stables in existence, providing a unique insight into the department of the Royal Household that provides transport by road for The Queen and other members of the Royal Family.
What there is to see
The Royal Mews houses the state vehicles, both horse-drawn carriages and motor cars, used for coronations, state visits, royal weddings, the State Opening of Parliament and other official engagements. Visitors can see the Gold State Coach which was last used during The Queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002 to carry Her Majesty and Prince Philip to the Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral.
State Rooms
Buckingham Palace serves as both the office and London residence of Her Majesty The Queen, as well as the administrative headquarters of the Royal Household. It is one of the few working royal palaces remaining in the world today.
Today the State Rooms are used extensively by The Queen and Members of the Royal Family to receive and entertain their guests on state, ceremonial and official occasions. During August and September when The Queen makes her annual visit to Scotland, the Palace's nineteen state rooms are open to visitors.
A complimentary audio tour provides a lively introduction to centuries of royal history and includes interviews with Royal Household staff about the working Palace and the works of art on display.
What there is to see
The State Rooms form the heart of the working palace and are lavishly furnished with some of the greatest treasures from the Royal Collection - paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Poussin and Canaletto; sculpture by Canova; exquisite examples of Sèvres porcelain; and some of the finest English and French furniture.
Special exhibition
The special exhibition in 2012 is the newly commissioned "Diamonds : A Jubilee Celebration"
The Gardens
Described as a 'walled oasis in the middle of London', the Palace's garden is home to thirty different species of bird and more than 350 different wild flowers, some extremely rare. Visitors end their tour with a walk along the south side of the garden, with splendid views of the west front of the Palace and the famous lake.
|