Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the British monarch in London. The Palace is a setting for state occasions and royal entertaining, a base for many officially visiting Heads of State, and a major tourist attraction. It has been a rallying point for the British people at times of national rejoicing, crisis or grief. "Buckingham Palace", "Buck House" or simply "The Palace" commonly refers to the source of press statements issued by the offices of the Royal Household.

Today, Buckingham Palace is not only the weekday home of the Queen and Prince Philip but also the London residence of the Duke of York and the Earl and Countess of Wessex. The Palace also houses the offices of the Royal Household and is the workplace of 450 people.

Every year some 50,000 invited guests are entertained at Garden Parties in the Garden, receptions, audiences, and banquets. The Forecourt of Buckingham Palace is used for Changing of the Guard, a major ceremony and tourist attraction (daily during the summer months; every other day during the winter).

The Palace is not the monarch's private property; both Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace and their art collections belong to the nation. The furnishings, paintings, fittings and other artefacts, many by Fabergé, from Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle are known collectively as the Royal Collection; owned by the nation, they can be viewed by the public. The Queen's Gallery near the Royal Mews is open all year and displays a changing selection of items from the collection. The rooms containing the Queen's Gallery are on the site of the former chapel, which was damaged by one of the seven bombs to fall on the Palace during World War II.

Buckingham Palace with the Union Flag projected onto it for Christmas Eve 2003The Summer Opening of the Palace State Rooms to the public was a huge change to tradition in the 1990s. The money raised in entry fees was originally put towards the rebuilding of Windsor Castle following the fire in 1992 that destroyed many of its State Rooms. Each Summer, during August and September, the West Wing of the Palace is opened to the public. A seasonal staff of about 200 is employed to run the Opening.

A Royal Day visit the Royal Mews and State Rooms at Buckingham Palace
Your Royal Day begins at the Royal Mews, home to the magnificent Gold State Coach used for Coronations, then take a complimentary audio tour of the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace and marvel at some of the greatest treasures from the Royal collection.

For the first time ever, visitors will be able to experience the spectacle of the Palace’s Ballroom set up for a State Banquet. This is the occasion when Her Majesty and other members of the Royal Family entertain around 160 specially invited guests on the first evening of a State Visit. End your visit with a walk along the south side of the garden, which gives splendid views of the west front of the Palace and the famous lake.

Your package with Superbreak will begin with your afternoon entry to the Royal Mews and Buckingham Palace, and then spend the evening at a 4 star hotel in central London.

Click here to Book a trip to A Royal Day - visit the Royal Mews and State Rooms at Buckingham Palace online with Superbreak, with tickets to A Royal Day - visit the Royal Mews and State Rooms at Buckingham Palace and hotel accommodation included in the price.

Buckingham Palace Website