Buckingham Palace won’t be opening its doors to the public this summer. Ongoing coronavirus restrictions mean that the annual tourist season for the Queen’s London home is off for 2020.
The Royal Collection Trust, which oversees the opening, has just announced that the State Rooms won’t be opening up this year and anyone who has already bought tickets will be issued with a refund. Clarence House and Frogmore House, which usually welcome visitors in August, will also remain shut for the 2020 season.
In a short statement, the Trust said ”the safety and wellbeing of our visitors and staff are our priority. Because of the operational difficulties of social distancing, unfortunately we have had to take the decision to not to open the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace to the public this summer.”
The statement continued ”we are currently unable to confirm a date on which other Palaces, the Royal Mews, the Galleries and shops will reopen but will continue to monitor Government advice”.
Buckingham Palace began welcoming paying visitors in 1993. As well as seeing inside the State Rooms, there is usually an annual exhibition. The palace normally opens for dates in August and September.
The Royal Collection Trust also oversees the opening of the Royal Mews, the Queen’s Gallery and Clarence House in London as well as Windsor Castle and Frogmore House in Berkshire and Holyroodhouse Palace in Edinburgh.
