You could visit the Queen’s residences sooner than expected
In his first major announcement as a monarch, King Charles III has revealed he will be reopening the Queen’s former residences to the public - and it’s sooner than you might expect.
On Thursday, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace, and the Queen’s Gallery in Edinburgh will be reopened to visitors following the ten-day period of national mourning for Queen Elizabeth II.
However, the late monarch’s home of Windsor Castle will remain closed until Thursday, September 29, potentially due to the royal family continuing their mourning period for another week after the Queen’s funeral.
The Royal Collection Trust has confirmed that the State Rooms and Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace - which is set to become King Charles III’s new London home - won’t reopen this year.
It comes after the commemorative Platinum Jubilee displays at the royal residences were permanently closed following Queen Elizabeth II’s death.
The exhibition Masterpieces from Buckingham Palace, currently on display at the Queen’s Gallery, will also be extended until Monday, October 31.
It is understood that King Charles III may open more of Buckingham Palace to the public to increase revenue which will help pay for the reservicing of the home.
“He will use Buckingham Palace because he knows that is his duty,” a royal aide told The Telegraph.
“But he might choose to use fewer rooms and open up more of the building to the public.”
It has also been suggested that the 73-year-old could gift Balmoral Castle to Scotland in the near future, making the Queen’s formerly private home open to the public all year round.
As well as supporting his plans to slim down the monarchy and increase revenue, royal biographer Penny Junor told the UK newspaper the move would likely be a bid to reduce maintenance costs as well.
“I think he might bring in more income from the royal assets because he is quite an entrepreneur,” she said.
“If he allowed more visitors into Balmoral that would be a good earner.”
Images: @royalcollectiontrust (Instagram)