Final preparations are made in the Yellow Drawing Room, in the East Wing of Buckingham Palace, London, which is being opened to visitors for the first time this summer, when special guided tours of the Principal Floor will be available to visitors in July and August. (Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty Images)
Buckingham Palace’s East Wing, the room behind the building’s famous balcony, is ready to welcome visitors for the first time.
The East Wing has gone through five years of renovations and will be available for viewing on a trial basis to paying customers from next week, according to the BBC.
The famous balcony part of the East Wing is used by the royal family for public appearances during certain events.
Queen Victoria is considered the first monarch to start this practice, according to Town and Country.
Visitors will not be able to stand on the balcony due to a possible safety risk, with the railing being below waist height.
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The tours of the East Wing cost £75 (R1735.49) and have already sold out for 2024. Each tour has a capacity of 20 visitors per session.
“Led by an expert guide, the East Wing Highlights Tour will take you through the principal rooms of the Wing as you discover the spaces beyond the famous façade of the building,” the Royal Collection Trust said in a statement.
“You will view exquisite works from the Royal Collection and visit the Centre Room, which leads to the Palace balcony, first used by Queen Victoria,” the statement continued.
SEE PHOTOS OF THE EAST WING HERE: