Buckingham Palace Remodels, Opens Area To Public For First Time In 175 Years
Image via Royal Collection Trust
Buckingham Palace has finally lifted the lid on a secret world. For the first time in 175 years, visitors can now wander through the palace’s previously unseen east wing.
Originally built to accommodate Queen Victoria’s burgeoning brood, the east wing has undergone a five-year makeover. The Royal Collection Trust’s skilled team of curators and conservators have breathed new life into the space, transforming it into a showcase of King George IV’s penchant for 18th-century Chinese-inspired decor.
The centerpiece is undoubtedly the lotus-shaped chandelier, a dazzling spectacle of glass and lacquer that hangs in the central room. This is the room with the balcony view—you know, the one where the royals wave to the crowds. But it’s not just the chandelier that’s stealing the show. The room is a feast for the eyes, with a geometric floral carpet and a pair of seriously impressive Chinese silk wall hangings.
Photo: Peter Smith. Image via Royal Collection Trust
Image via Royal Collection Trust
Image via Royal Collection Trust
Next door, in the Yellow Drawing Room, you’ll find a pair of nine-tiered pagodas standing tall and proud. The wallpaper, a delicate masterpiece, has been lovingly restored to its former glory.
Photo: Peter Smith. Image via Royal Collection Trust
Image via Royal Collection Trust
And let’s not forget the Kylin Clock—a quirky piece featuring porcelain lions and a tiny Japanese god of luck. The whole wing is a riot of dragons, gilded curtain poles, and other Chinese-inspired motifs.
Image via Royal Collection Trust
But it’s not all about the decor. The 240-foot-long principal corridor is a gallery of sorts, displaying a collection of royal portraits by the likes of Thomas Gainsborough and Franz Xaver Winterhalter.
Image via Royal Collection Trust
The transformation of the east wing reflects the enduring appeal of King George IV’s taste. And while the palace’s state rooms are already a sight to behold, the newly unveiled portrait of King Charles III, painted in bold red hues by Jonathan Yeo, adds a contemporary touch to the historic setting.
[via Architectural Digest, Dezeen, BBC, images via Royal Collection Trust]
