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Buckingham Palace

(41 Posts)
Beechnut Sat 13-Jun-26 20:42:05

I’ve been watching the highlights of Trooping the Colour.
Have any of you been inside Buckingham Palace?
We went to see the Princess of Wales wedding dress.

GrannyGravy13 Sat 13-Jun-26 20:48:38

I have been twice, the first year it opened with DH and 3yr old DD and then again with my mum, sister and grown up daughter.

We also done the garden tour which was very enjoyable.

(DH has been a few times to staff parties with an old flame )

Grandmadinosaur Sat 13-Jun-26 20:54:57

Yes I’ve been several times. There is always something different to see or that you notice. Of all the exhibits my favourite one was the year they displayed Princess Catherine’s wedding dress. It was stunning close up and so much detail.

It’s a fabulous day out. A bonus is that if you get your admission ticket stamped on the way out you get free admission for a year.

MissAdventure Sat 13-Jun-26 21:13:55

Yes, I've been.
I saw part of the palace, and also where the queen mother lived at that time, which was really quirky.
Then tea and cakes on the lawn.

Sarnia Sun 14-Jun-26 07:37:31

Pre-Covid I took some of my GC on a tour of Buckingham Palace. The stable block was also open that day and the highlight was seeing the Golden Coach up close.

luluaugust Sun 14-Jun-26 07:41:21

Yes I have been twice with family and a friend. My memory now seems to be of the chandeliers!

Ladyleftfieldlover Sun 14-Jun-26 07:48:49

Younger son and I went the first year it opened to the public. The second time was when it commemorated the 200th anniversary Queen Victoria’s birth. I’ve also visited St James Palace which was very interesting.

Bellasnana Sun 14-Jun-26 07:53:00

Yes, DH and I thoroughly enjoyed our visit several years ago. The paintings alone were worth the entrance fee. There was also an exhibition of the then Queen’s jewelry, absolutely stunning when seen close up.

We had tea in the garden, a tour of the Royal Mews, and an exhibition of Leonardo Da Vinci sketches and drawings at the Queen’s Gallery.

Millie22 Sun 14-Jun-26 08:25:01

I'm going next month for the first time to see the Queen's dresses.

Previously I've only been past in a taxi.

Gingster Sun 14-Jun-26 08:41:16

Yes I’ve been twice.

I went to see the Coronation clothes, carriages etc. a couple of years ago.,

Chocolatelovinggran Sun 14-Jun-26 09:09:29

I'm the classic Brit who has visited Royal Palaces in many other countries but not ever Buckingham Palace.

MiniMoon Sun 14-Jun-26 10:16:16

DH and I visited Buckingham Palace some years ago. Unfortunately there were no special exhibitions on at the time, but we enjoyed the visit anyway. I loved seeing the gardens when we went for tea and scones in the tearoom outside.

Millie22 Sun 14-Jun-26 10:42:31

I have been looking for somewhere to have afternoon tea nearby.

If they have a tearoom there that could be an option. I wonder if you have to book with them. Did you do that MiniMoon?

Witzend Sun 14-Jun-26 11:43:07

I went some years ago, with a Swedish friend who was keen to visit.
TBH I found it (or the bits we were allowed to see) largely an massive overdose of red and gold - I honestly wasn’t surprised that the late Queen, and I dare say plenty of others, didn’t like Buck House at all. Dare I say it struck me as tacky?

What I did like was the huge gallery of their priceless art, and the garden - we had to exit via that.
I certainly wouldn’t choose to go again.

Cossy Sun 14-Jun-26 11:48:06

I’d like to go, just to be nosy!

I’m no royalist, but enjoyed watching the trooping of the colour the other day.

MissAdventure Sun 14-Jun-26 12:16:06

I really enjoyed some of the portraits.
There was a really bad one of the queen, with her hands looking deformed - the guide told us the artist was so nervous he messed it up.
One of two of the unluckiest sisters when it came to looks.
Some really rude ones, and some graphic depictions of violent battles.

MawsRosie Sun 14-Jun-26 12:26:29

I’ve been there a couple (3?) times, once as part of a tour of the State rooms, paintings and gardens with a group from the Arts Society, once when it opened to the public but most excitingly about 40 years ago for my father’s investiture. Exciting having the car boot checked by sniffer dogs having driven my parents and self down The Mall, borrowing DH’s car as it was considerably posher than my rust bucket! We had been lined up as I remember in some sort of (possibly alphabetical) order by the police and I remember people on the pavements peering into the car to see if there was anybody famous in it (there wasn’t)

fancythat Sun 14-Jun-26 13:31:56

I have been twice.
A few years ago.

I am one of the few who was mildly disappointed.
Maybe I have read too many Princess type books.
It seemed old[yes I know it is], but I mean old as in say the electrics.
And it was faded[again yes I know things fade].

It is wonderful to be allowed in though.
I never expected to be able to see inside parts of it.

Enid101 Sun 14-Jun-26 16:59:07

I went to a garden party - gorgeous gardens and lovely afternoon tea.

Desdemona Sun 14-Jun-26 19:31:35

I went there for a tour years ago, not long after they started opening to the public I think.

I don't remember a huge amount about it, either good or bad. I wouldn't pay to see a Royal residence nowadays - my opinions have changed over the years and I don't find them relevant or interesting any more.

latedecember1963 Sun 14-Jun-26 20:23:50

DH and I have been twice. The 1st time we saw the Throne Room, the State Dining Room, with an interesting video of how the tables are dressed for State banquets, a long corridor with lots of portraits and an exhibition of the Queen Mother's and Queen Elizabeth II's outfits.

The room stewards were well informed and seemed to like being asked questions. I suppose it's a long shift if noone speaks to you.

We had sandwiches and scones in the tea area in the garden afterwards because when we checked the prices they were no more extortionate than many of the nearby food outlets and it was a nice way to finish the day.

The 2nd time was 3 years ago when I went as DH's plus 1 to a Garden Party.
We didn't go inside on that occasion, but had a lovely afternoon in the garden in spite of pouring rain.
The food in the afternoon tea tent was delicious!

hollysteers Sun 14-Jun-26 20:35:01

I enjoyed Buckingham Palace but thought the gardens were rather boring.

It’s a shame the front of the palace looks so utilitarian when the older part is more attractive but not seen.

I particularly enjoyed seeing Clarence House and was surprised how shabby it was.
I now know my house is ‘shabby chic’ in an aristocratic sort of way…

fancythat Sun 14-Jun-26 21:02:26

but thought the gardens were rather boring.

I thought they were too!
But didnt like to add that to my above post.

latedecember1963 Mon 15-Jun-26 07:08:44

We thought the gardens were a bit plain to put it kindly.
Maybe Buckingham Palace is more of an 'office' rather than their home.
The gardens can be a useful backdrop for official photos and for the garden parties but their real gardens are where they usually live.

MissAdventure Mon 15-Jun-26 09:49:10

I quite liked the gardens.
They did look as if they were actual hobbyist ones, rather than for show.