Buckingham Palace opens balcony to public with fans divided over ‘obscene’ fee

Royal enthusiasts are in for a treat as King Charles decided to open the doors of Buckingham Palace to the public
The iconic balcony at the palace, which has been the backdrop for countless national events, will now be accessible for the public to experience firsthand.

For 175 years, the palace room leading to this famous balcony has remained private. However, starting next week, the doors to the newly refurbished east wing will be opened.

Guided tours will take visitors through the state rooms and along most of the impressive 240ft-long main corridor, home to the Yellow Drawing Room and Centrepiece Room behind the balcony. While stepping onto the balcony won’t be permitted, visitors can still enjoy stunning views down The Mall.

Constructed to accommodate Queen Victoria’s expanding family, the east wing enclosed what was once an open horse-shoe shaped Royal residence. The sale of George IV’s lavish oriental-style seaside palace, the Royal Pavilion in Brighton, funded this grand construction. Some of the finest ceramics and furniture from the Royal Collection were relocated to the east wing, influencing the Chinese-themed decor of its main rooms.

Royal enthusiasts who purchase a standard ticket for the palace’s state rooms will have the opportunity to explore the 19 rooms utilised by the Royal family for official events. In the ballroom, visitors can admire a stunning new portrait of the King, crafted by renowned artist Jonathan Yeo, set against a vibrant red backdrop.

Despite the excitement among many Royal fans, the hefty £75 price tag has left some disgruntled. A total of 6,000 tickets were snapped up within hours when they went on sale in April.

A flurry of people took to X recently to voice their opinions. One person labelled the cost as “obscene”, considering the expense of the palace’s renovations and Royal engagements. “Surely this house belongs to us,” another chimed in. Someone else accused the move of being “greedy”.

“You can come and look around my house for a fiver and I’ll throw in a cuppa and some Dundee cake,” quipped another.
One individual sarcastically suggested: “Oh I better go and help them out, they must be hard up! It should be free like the museum it should be!” Another commented: “£75! A drop in the ocean for some, I suppose.”

However, some expressed their appreciation for the opening of the wing, with one stating they would be “very happy to pay that”. “One of the best things King Charles has done – open up the royal properties more,” praised another.

Another wrote: “Such beauty and the history is just incredible. Love it!” “Hope to visit one day,” echoed another