Fit for a King? St James's Palace to open to public

The public will be able to take a tour of St James's Palace for the first time, including the room where King Charles III was formally proclaimed as monarch.

The Royal Collection Trust said tickets were available for tours in small guided groups in April and May from their website, at a cost of £85 per person.

The trust said prices were "benchmarked across the sector and reflect the unique and special access visitors will experience".

Built on the orders of King Henry VIII between 1531 and 1536, St James's Palace is the most senior royal palace in London and the formal seat of the Royal Court, despite the monarch no longer living there.

Unlike other London Royal residences such as Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace, St James's has been closed to the public until now.

It played a central role after the King succeeded to the Crown in 2022, when the formal Accession Council was held in the Throne Room, which is included the tour.

The guided tours will also take in the palace's surviving Tudor architecture, such as its courtyard and gatehouse, and paintings and furniture from the Royal Collection.

The rooms included in the tour are the Colour Court, the Grand Staircase, Armoury, Tapestry Room, Queen Anne Room, Entrée Room, Throne Room, Picture Gallery and a view of the Chapel Royal from the balcony.

Tickets must be pre-booked and there is a timed admission system. Tours start from 10:30 to 18:30 and last about one hour and 45 minutes.

Photography and eating or drinking is not allowed and there are no toilet facilities for people taking tours.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected]