The summer opening of Buckingham Palace will give a rare insight the historic landmark thanks to A Royal Welcome , a new exhibition that reveals the military-like operation involved in paying a visit to Her Majesty.
Visitors will be afforded the privileged to enter via the same entrance that the 110 heads of state that have visited the Queen would – taking in the incredible reception halls of the palace that has been the royal family’s residence since 1837 while being one of the few working palaces in the world.
The amount of work that goes into the palace is phenomenal. Having a cup of tea is with the Queen is a well-though out and planned process.
It’s rare to have such a in depth insight into the Queen’s home. We usually get a glimpse at Christmas time, where she has recorded her festive message in the White Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace.
Each dinner guest at the palace is given exactly 47 centimetres of space, measured to the millimetre on tables that take three days to set. Nine pieces of cutlery are chosen from a collection of over 2000 pieces for four courses (fish, meat, pudding and fruit, plus a butter knife).
Six glasses are assigned per person (champagne, red, white, dessert wine, water and port). Each diner has their own light to illuminate their food, prepared by a team of 21 chefs. Wine comes from the 400-year-old cellars where more than 25,000 bottles are stored.
While the cutlery, glassware and china are from a separate department, each headed with it’s own dedicated staff. Since it takes three days to set the table, we don’t think we’ll be offering to help clean up!
Fit for royalty! The top image is the table laid with the silver-gilt Grand Service and arranged for a State Banquet. While at the bottom, Anna Reynolds, curator of Royal Collection Trust, puts the finishing touches to a display of the 1853 christening cake of Prince Leopold in the State Dining Room of the Palace.
Master of the Household Vice Admiral Tony Johnstone Burt is the man that leads his team of 330 people, who run the operation.
“There is only one standard and that is exceptional,” he said.
While you might not be invited to dine with Queen Elizabeth, you can go exploring with the Grand Staircase and Green Drawing Room both open to the public. If you want to have a sticky beak at the famous royal collections of art and marble statues, head down to the royal Gallery and Silk Tapestry Room.
Prepare for sheer opulence, with each room better than the last, furniture that has been dipped in gold, hand cut glass chandeliers and rare objects that are among the few of their kind in the world.
On June 2nd, Queen Elizabeth II celebrated 62nd years since her coronation and has thus been the longest-serving monarch in British history.
The public will also be treated to a viewing of Queen Elizabeth’s decadent outfits and jewellery, which will all be on display!
It will include her tiara made of 488 diamonds and a necklace with a 22.5 carat diamond pendant, plus the throne she sat on when she was crowned Queen more than 60 years ago.
Anna Reynold from the Royal Collection Trust has described the exhibition as “extremely special”.
“Through the displays and film presentations, we show the planning, preparation and presentation that make these occasions so magnificent and so memorable,” she explained.
Isn’t it grand? The Ballroom of Buckingham Palace.
