Buckingham Palace Summer Opening July 23 to Oct 3

Beginning July 23, the Buckingham Palace State Rooms open to the public. It’s difficult to imagine being a part of the ceremonial and official occasions, but it’s certainly nice to get the visitor tour while the Queen takes her annual visit to Scotland.

Serving as both the office and London residence of The Queen, as well as admin headquarters for the Royal Household, Buckingham Palace is one of the few working royal palaces remaining in the world today. The State Rooms are used extensively by The Queen and members of the Royal Family to receive and entertain guests for ceremonial, state and official occasions. When the Queen takes her annual visit to Scotland, the Palace’s nineteen State Rooms are open to visitors. The visitor route also includes a nice walk along the west side of the palace garden with views of the garden, palace and nineteenth-century lake.

Forming the heart of the working palace, the State Rooms are exquisitely furnished with some of the Royal Collection’s greatest possessions. This includes paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Poussin and Canaletto, as well as English and French furniture.

Special Exhibitions 2011

Royal Fabergé

Bringing together masterpieces by Carl Fabergé from Imperial Easter Eggs and jewel-encrusted boxes and even miniature carvings of royal pets, the exhibition at the annual Summer opening of Buckingham Palace is interesting to say the least.

Kate Middleton’s Wedding Dress

Designed by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen, Kate Middleton’s wedding dress will go on display during Buckingham Palace’s annual Summer opening (July 23 to October 3, 2011). Middleton chose british brand, McQueen for its beautiful craftsmanship and technical construction. She worked closely with Sarah Burton in carefully constructing the dress. It will go on display alongside the shoes, earrings and Halo Tiara she wore on April 29.

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