The State Rooms
Explore every magnificent room in detail — from Nash's grand staircase to the 47-metre Picture Gallery containing some of the finest paintings ever assembled.
Nineteen Rooms of Living History
"The State Rooms are the grandest rooms in Buckingham Palace and are used to receive and entertain guests on State and ceremonial occasions."
Open to the public each summer, the 19 State Rooms offer an extraordinary glimpse into the working heart of British monarchy. Lavishly decorated by monarchs from George IV to the present day, each room is a living canvas of priceless artworks and historical artefacts.
The self-guided audio tour — narrated by senior curators — leads you through each room chronologically, bringing the stories of kings, queens, and state occasions to life.
The Throne Room — with the original ER & P thrones
Room by Room Guide
The Grand Staircase
Added by John Nash during George IV's transformation of the Palace in 1830, the Grand Staircase immediately announces the scale and grandeur of what lies ahead. The sweeping marble staircase rises beneath a painted ceiling to the principal floor.
The gilded bronze balustrade — a masterpiece of craftsmanship — was designed by Nash himself and cast at the foundries of London. Every baluster is individually modelled, with no two exactly alike. The scarlet-livered Royal Household porters who stand at its base today continue a tradition stretching back nearly 200 years.
- ◆ Architect: John Nash (1830)
- ◆ Gilded bronze balustrade
- ◆ Scarlet livery porters on duty
The Throne Room
The Throne Room is perhaps the most iconic and recognisable room in the Palace. Two gilded thrones — bearing the cyphers "ER" and "P" — sit beneath a crimson canopy edged in gold fringe, positioned on a dais beneath a proscenium arch.
The room was designed by John Nash for George IV and completed under James Pennethorne for Queen Victoria. Twenty-eight figures representing the history and chivalry of England gaze down from the archway. The thrones have been used for official portraits of every British Monarch since Victoria.
- ◆ Original thrones: ER (Elizabeth II) & P (Philip)
- ◆ Crimson and gold colour scheme
- ◆ Proscenium arch with 28 figures
The Ballroom
The largest room in Buckingham Palace and one of the largest in any royal palace in the world, the Ballroom was added under Queen Victoria in 1854–55. At 34 metres long and 18 metres wide, it is the setting for State Banquets — formal dinners for up to 170 guests — as well as Investiture ceremonies.
More than 30,000 Investitures have been conducted in this room since its construction. Three enormous crystal chandeliers, each weighing over 4,000 kilograms, illuminate the gilded walls and barrel-vaulted ceiling. The Organ — installed by Queen Victoria — still stands at the far end.
- ◆ 34m × 18m floor space
- ◆ State Banquets: up to 170 guests
- ◆ 30,000+ Investitures held here
- ◆ Built for Queen Victoria (1855)
The Picture Gallery
The Picture Gallery is the centrepiece of the State Rooms — a breathtaking 47-metre top-lit gallery containing one of the finest collections of Old Masters anywhere in the world. The roof lanterns, designed specifically to provide natural daylight, have illuminated the paintings since the gallery was completed in 1914.
The current hang includes works by Rembrandt van Rijn, Jan Vermeer, Peter Paul Rubens, and Anthony van Dyck — many acquired by King George IV, one of history's greatest royal art collectors. The paintings are rotated from the Royal Collection, so each visit may reveal different works.
- ◆ 47 metres long
- ◆ Natural daylight through roof lanterns
- ◆ Works by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Rubens, Van Dyck
- ◆ Completed 1914
Practical Information
Photography
Personal photography is welcome in most State Rooms. No flash photography. Tripods and monopods are not permitted. Commercial photography requires prior approval.
Dress Code
There is no formal dress code. Smart casual is appropriate. Visitors in formal attire attending state events should contact the Visitor Team in advance.
Duration
The self-guided tour through the State Rooms typically takes 90 minutes to 2 hours. Including the Garden, allow at least 2.5 hours for your visit.
Bags & Cloakroom
Bag sizes are restricted — bags larger than 55cm×35cm×25cm are not permitted in the State Rooms. A free cloakroom is available at the entrance.
Food & Drink
The Garden Café serves light lunches, cream teas, and refreshments. The Café is open during summer opening. No food or drink is permitted inside the State Rooms themselves.
The Palace Shop
The Palace Shop — accessible without a ticket — stocks an exclusive range of Royal Collection merchandise, books, jewellery, and gifts. Online shopping is also available year-round.