In 2025, fans of the British monarchy have exciting opportunities to explore some of the most iconic royal residences in Britain, with expanded tours, new access to historic rooms, and exclusive experiences. The Royal Collection Trust has announced what’s going to be on offer for 2025, including rare access to St. James’s Palace. Tickets for many of these unique offerings went on sale on November 5, 2024, providing visitors an early chance to reserve their place in these historic spaces.
Discover the Iconic East Wing at Buckingham Palace
For the first time, Buckingham Palace’s East Wing will be fully accessible to the public following a successful trial in 2024. The East Wing, featuring the famous central balcony where the Royal Family traditionally greets crowds, allows visitors to enter through Buckingham Palace’s grand front gates and cross the historic Forecourt, just as royal guests do.
Highlights of the East Wing tour include:
- The Centre Room: Offering views of the iconic Palace balcony and the Victoria Memorial, this room captures the regal elegance of Buckingham Palace.
- The Yellow Drawing Room: A stunning room featuring towering Chinese porcelain pagodas and fine 19th-century furnishings.
- The Principal Corridor: A 240-foot gallery lined with masterpieces by Gainsborough, Sir Thomas Lawrence, and Winterhalter, among others.
- The Chinese Dining Room: Open for summer tours, this newly restored room was originally a breakfast room for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, featuring Asian-inspired decor brought from George IV’s Royal Pavilion in Brighton.
Two ways to enjoy East Wing access are available:
- East Wing Guided Tours (January–May 2025): These in-depth, 90-minute tours led by expert guides offer an intimate look at the Wing’s history and architecture, ideal for those who wish to explore the Palace at a quieter time when it is otherwise closed to the public. Additional ticket information and dates will be announced through the Royal Collection Trust’s e-newsletter.
- East Wing Highlights Tours (July–August 2025): Visitors to Buckingham Palace’s Summer Opening can add a one-hour Highlights Tour of the East Wing, which includes the newly restored Chinese Dining Room, to their visit. This option offers a unique chance to experience both the East Wing and the grand State Rooms, where visitors can marvel at rooms like the White Drawing Room, Throne Room, and Ballroom. Tickets are available now.
The Summer Opening of Buckingham Palace’s State Rooms runs from July 10 to September 28, 2025, showcasing the opulent spaces used by the Royal Family for official events. Visitors can also opt for a Garden Highlights Tour to enjoy Buckingham Palace’s gardens, including the Herbaceous Border, Rose Garden, and more.
St. James’s Palace: A Rare Glimpse Inside
St. James’s Palace, one of the oldest royal palaces in London, will open to the public for exclusive guided tours on selected weekends in spring 2025. This reportedly the first time this palace has been opened for tours. Built by Henry VIII, this Tudor palace has been a significant site in British royal history for over 500 years and remains a ceremonial and administrative hub for the monarchy today.
Tour highlights include:
- Tudor Architecture: Explore the historic gatehouse and courtyard, dating back to Henry VIII’s reign.
- The Chapel Royal: An important setting for royal occasions, including the weddings of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, and the christenings of Prince George and Prince Louis.
- The Throne Room and Picture Gallery: Step inside the rooms where the Accession Council for King Charles III took place in 2022 and view exceptional tapestries, paintings, and artifacts.
Further ticketing details will be shared through the Royal Collection Trust’s e-newsletter at a later date.
Royal Residences Year-Round
Visitors can explore several historic sites throughout the year, with seasonal highlights and special exhibitions at each location:
- Buckingham Palace Summer Opening: From July 10 to September 28, 2025, Buckingham Palace opens its State Rooms for the public, allowing access to the spaces where official royal functions are held. Visitors can purchase tickets now for the State Rooms, the Garden Highlights Tour, and the East Wing Highlights Tour.
- Windsor Castle and Palace of Holyroodhouse: Open year-round, these residences showcase British history through grand State Apartments, art collections, and, at Holyroodhouse, the atmospheric ruins of the 12th-century Holyrood Abbey.
Plan Your Visit
Tickets for Buckingham Palace’s Summer Opening, the Garden Highlights Tour, and East Wing Highlights Tours are now available. The Royal Collection Trust also offers various concession rates, including half-price entry for children, special rates for young visitors, and a 1-Year Pass for visitors who purchase tickets directly. The 1-Year Pass allows free re-entry for 12 months, perfect for visitors looking to explore multiple royal sites in a single year.
With such an expanded program in 2025, visitors have a rare opportunity to see even more of Britain’s historic royal residences and immerse themselves in the grandeur and heritage of the British monarchy. Early reservations are encouraged, as these special access tours are expected to be very popular.
For tickets and more information, visit www.rct.uk.
Author: Jonathan Thomas
Jonathan is a consummate Anglophile who launched Anglotopia.net in 2007 to channel his passion for Britain. Londontopia is its sister publication dedicated to everything London.