British royals - Buckingham Palace gives first insight into the East Wing
The Buckingham Palace opens its East Wing for visitors for the first time. The British royal family appears on the famous balcony from there for official engagements. The guided tours begin on a Monday. The approximately 6,000 tickets had been sold out within hours, reported the British news agency PA. Tickets cost 75 pounds (approximately 89 Euro).
The "Times" finds the balcony not particularly child-friendly
British media give a sneak peek. "Who can resist a peek behind the most famous curtains in the country?", asked the "Times". The newspaper then explained what one misses if one does not get a ticket or wants to save money. "An unexpected amount of Chinese bling-bling."
Surprisingly low is the railing on the balcony - it is the least child-friendly balcony I have ever seen, wrote the author. One reaches the balcony from the so-called Centre Room, but during the visit one cannot go out onto it.
How the famous balcony came about
The idea for the balcony came from Prince Albert (1819-1861), the husband of Queen Victoria, explained Caroline de Guitaut, who is responsible for the royal art collection for the British news agency PA. He saw it as an opportunity to bring the royal family into contact with the people.
The Palace in the heart of London is considered the official residence of the Monarch. The East Wing, which was built between 1847 and 1849, is otherwise not accessible to the public. The so-called State Rooms traditionally open in the summer for an entrance fee.
The Palace has been under renovation for some time. King Charles III. lives there temporarily, but in Clarence House, which is right next door.
The insight into the royal family's lifestyle, often associated with nobility, is limited for those unable to visit the balcony. Prince Albert, a crucial figure in Great Britain's monarchy, envisioned the balcony as a way to bridge the gap between the royal family and the people. Despite its historical significance, the Balcony at Buckingham Palace, considered one of the Palace's most iconic features, has drawn criticism for its child-unfriendliness due to its low railing and inaccessibility during tours. Moreover, the loyal subjects whose tickets were sold out or chose to save money may miss the opulence of Chinese decorations characteristic of the Royal Family's real estate.
