LONDON.- He Buckingham Palace opens its east wing for the first time publicallowing access to the room that leads to the balcony from where the British royal family greets the crowd.
New rooms in the East Wing will be available from 15 July, the Royal Collection Trust, which is responsible for opening royal residences to the public, announced.
King Charles III played a key role in opening the palace wider to visitors, according to British media.
But it is too late to visit the East Wing this year. Tickets, sold for £75 ($95), sold out within hours in April.
Some 6,000 people managed to obtain a ticket to visit this wing, built between 1847 and 1849 to house Queen Victoria’s large family.
Access to the Buckingham Palace
Visitors will have access to the main hallway, decorated with paintings by Thomas Gainsborough, and the room next to the balcony, which overlooks the famous Mall where the public gathers on great occasions.
However, visitors will not be able to access the balcony, which has been used since 1851 by the royal family for public appearances.
The idea for the balcony at Buckingham came from Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert.
“It was a way for the royal family to stay in touch with the people and it still is,” explained Caroline de Guitaut, head of the king’s works of art.
The east wing will be open until the end of August after more than five years of renovations costing £369m ($472m).
The summer visit to Buckingham will be available until the end of September.
Visitors authorised to enter the East Wing will also have access to 19 rooms used by the Royal Family for official receptions.
In the ballroom you can see the first official portrait of Charles III since his coronation, painted by the British artist Jonathan Yeo.
FUENTE: AFP