Annual opening of Buckingham Palace, from 22 July to 29 September 2019

If you want to admire more than the Changing of the Guard in front of Buckingham Palace, discover the backstage! During the holidays of Her Very Gracious Majesty at Windsor or in Scotland, the royal palace is accessible to the public. Administrative headquarters of the British sovereigns and host of leading official receptions, this landmark teeming with history shelters some of the greatest treasures in the world.

Buckingham Palace opens its doors all summer long

In this building, comprising 600 rooms, start by visiting the exhibition of the moment. Then you can stroll through the 19 receptions rooms, the State Apartments, go up the main marble staircase, ornamented with portraits of the British monarchy, discover the dining room used for gala dinners, along with its fabulous collection of Sèvres porcelain.

The honor staircase already gives a small idea of the opulence inside the English royal palace. © DR

The dining room is dedicated to official dinners hosting foreign heads of state visiting London. © DR

In the intimacy of a royal palace

Continue your stroll through The Picture Gallery, featuring works by Rembrandt, Rubens, Van Dyck, Canaletto as well as a portrait of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and their children. A little further there is The Drawing Room, where guests are presented to the Queen, and star of the show, the Throne Room, decked out in red and gold, with its balacony used for presentations of the royal family. End the promenade in the gardens where elegant Garden Parties take place by invitation only…

In keeping with protocol, visitors must wait in the Golden Salon before being presented to the Queen. © DR

Regal and solemn, the Throne Room is where all the investiture ceremonies take place. © DR