You’ve seen the photos. Every major Royal event—jubilees, weddings, coronations—ends with the family squeezed onto that famous stone balcony, waving at a sea of Union Jacks. But for decades, the rooms directly behind those French doors were a total mystery to the public. That changed recently. The Buckingham Palace East Wing tour finally opened up the most iconic facade in London, and honestly, it’s not exactly what people expect. It’s less "throne room grandiosity" and more "extravagant time capsule of a King’s obsession with the Orient."
It’s weirdly intimate. You’re walking through corridors where the Prince of Wales probably spilled coffee five minutes before you arrived.
Since the 1840s, this wing has been the literal face of the British Monarchy. Queen Victoria needed more space for her growing brood (she had nine kids, after all), so she tacked this massive block onto the front of the original house. It’s the part that makes the palace look like a palace. But until the recent Reservoir Project—a massive, multi-year renovation to fix ancient wiring and crumbly pipes—the public was strictly barred. Now, you can actually walk the Principal Corridor.
Why the East Wing feels like a different world
Most people who visit the State Rooms are used to the red-and-gold aesthetic of the White Drawing Room or the Throne Room. The East Wing is a total curveball. It is dominated by Chinoiserie.
When George IV moved out of Brighton Pavilion, he brought his furniture with him. Lots of it. We’re talking 18th-century Chinese porcelain, silk wall hangings, and clocks that look like pagodas. It’s a riot of color. The Principal Corridor spans 240 feet, and it’s packed with some of the finest examples of Asian art in the Royal Collection. It’s bright. It’s bold. It’s slightly overwhelming if you aren’t prepared for the sheer amount of turquoise and crimson.
The highlight for most is the Central Room. This is the room that leads directly onto the balcony.
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You can’t go out on the balcony. Let’s get that out of the way now. Security would have a heart attack, and the structural integrity of a hundred-plus people leaning over the Mall isn't something the Royal Household wants to test. But you can stand right behind the glass. You see exactly what King Charles III sees. You see the straight shot down the Mall toward Admiralty Arch. It’s a perspective very few humans have ever had.
The logistics of getting in
Getting a ticket for the Buckingham Palace East Wing tour is basically the Olympic sport of the London tourism world. They sell out in minutes. Literally.
When the Royal Collection Trust (RCT) first announced the 2024 dates, the website crashed almost immediately. They operate these tours as an add-on to the standard State Room ticket, usually during the summer months (July to September). You can't just wander in. It’s a guided situation, and they are incredibly strict about the "no photography" rule.
- The Price Tag: It isn’t cheap. You’re looking at around £75 for the combined experience.
- The Timing: You need to arrive at least 30 minutes early for security. It’s like airport security, but with more portraits of stern ancestors.
- The Group Size: They keep it small. Usually around 15 to 20 people. This is great because you can actually hear the guide talk about the 18th-century rock crystal chandeliers without being elbowed by a tourist from Ohio.
What you’ll see in the Yellow Drawing Room
This room is a highlight of the Buckingham Palace East Wing tour. It was designed in the 1840s for Queen Victoria, and it’s recently been restored to its former glory. The wallpaper is a stunning yellow silk, but the real star is the fireplace.
It’s a massive, spectacular piece of 19th-century craft. It was originally made for the Royal Pavilion in Brighton and features carved Chinese figures and dragons. It sounds like it should be gaudy, and maybe it is, but in the context of the palace, it works.
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The guides are usually art historians or long-term staff. They know the gossip. They’ll point out the small details, like the fact that the wallpaper was actually discovered in a basement, forgotten for decades, before being meticulously cleaned and re-hung.
The "Real" Buckingham Palace
There’s a misconception that the palace is a museum. It isn't. It’s a working office.
During the tour, you might see staff scurrying past with folders. You’ll notice that the clocks are all wound and ticking. The East Wing still houses bedrooms and offices. In fact, many of the rooms you pass are still used for official entertaining. When a foreign head of state comes to visit, this is where the action happens behind the scenes.
The East Wing was never meant to be a public gallery. It was built for privacy and for the "balcony moment." Walking through it feels slightly like trespassing, in the best way possible. You see the wear and tear on the floorboards (though they are very well-polished). You see the way the light hits the portraits of Victoria and Albert’s children.
Survival tips for the tour
Don't wear heels. Just don't. You’ll be walking for about two to three hours total if you do the full State Room circuit plus the East Wing. The floors are hard, and there is a lot of standing around while the guide explains the history of a specific vase.
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Also, eat before you go. There is a cafe at the end of the tour in the palace gardens, but it’s a long trek to get there.
- Book months in advance. Sign up for the Royal Collection Trust newsletter. It’s the only way to get a heads-up before the tickets drop.
- Check the dates. The East Wing isn't open year-round. It’s a seasonal treat.
- Bring an ID. They sometimes check it against the name on the ticket for security reasons.
Is it worth the hype?
Honestly? Yes. Even if you aren't a hardcore Royalist, the art collection alone is worth the entry fee. The East Wing houses some of the most significant pieces of 18th-century furniture in the world.
But more than that, it’s about the "I was there" factor. For a century and a half, the East Wing was a black box. Seeing the "Chinese Dining Room" with its incredible 19th-century wall paintings is a trip. It’s a look into the personal tastes of past monarchs that feels much more vibrant than the sterile, grand rooms used for investitures.
The Buckingham Palace East Wing tour represents a shift in how the monarchy operates. It’s part of the King’s vision for a more "open" palace. By letting people into the rooms behind the balcony, the mystery is replaced by a sense of history that you can actually touch (well, don't actually touch the silk walls, the guards will tackle you).
How to actually book
Go to the official Royal Collection Trust website. Don't buy from third-party resellers or "skip the line" sites that look sketchy. The RCT is the only official vendor for these specific guided tours. If the East Wing is sold out, check back for "Standard Admission" to the State Rooms, but know that you won't get behind those famous front windows without the specific East Wing upgrade.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
- Monitor the RCT Website: Tickets for the summer season typically go on sale in early spring. Mark your calendar for March.
- Choose the Morning Slot: The palace gets incredibly hot in the afternoon, and the East Wing’s ancient ventilation isn't exactly modern HVAC. The 10:00 AM slots are much more comfortable.
- Study the Balcony History: Before you go, look up photos of the 1945 VE Day balcony appearance or the 1953 Coronation. Seeing the room from the inside after seeing those historical photos makes the experience hit much harder.
- Prepare for the Garden Walk: After the tour, you exit through the gardens. It’s a long walk to the exit at Grosvenor Place. Make sure you have a bottle of water and decent shoes.
- Check Photography Rules: As of now, photography is strictly prohibited inside the East Wing. Don't be the person who tries to sneak a selfie and gets kicked out. Save the photos for the garden at the end.