One of the royal family’s most photographed moments is when they walk onto the famed balcony at Buckingham Palace.
Now, we can show you where they wait before seeing the public – and where they chat after returning inside.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: An exclusive first look at the East Wing of Buckingham Palace.
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They’ve gathered in these gilded halls since 1849, in a royal home to seven generations of British monarchs.
Buckingham Palace is opening its East Wing to the public for the first time, revealing a corridor of history which has been under renovation for five years.
“Everybody knows the facade of Buckingham Palace, with the members of the family on the balcony appearing over the centuries, but I think a lot of people probably think, ‘Gosh what’s behind, what’s through the curtains’,” Caroline de Guitaut, Surveyor of The King’s Works of Art, told 7NEWS.
It’s the palace’s most photographed and recognisable quarters, adorned with artworks and artifacts. During the renovations, more than 3000 pieces were taken out, restored and returned, right down to the lavish wallpaper.
“It was painstakingly taken off the walls. It took about three months, then cleaned and they put it back up,” Nicola Turner Inman, Curator of Decorative Art at the Royal Collection Trust, told 7NEWS.
It was Queen Victoria who oversaw construction of the East Wing to accommodate her growing family 175 years ago. To this day, its balcony remains the most famous in the world.
About half a million visitors come through Buckingham Palace every summer. From next week, they’ll get to see the principal corridor that stretches the entire length of the residence.
“I’m hoping they are surprised and amazed by the variety of pieces that they see from the royal collection here,” de Guitaut said.
The King’s polarising portrait also forms part of the tour. This wing of his palace, filled with priceless works of art, now painstakingly preserved.
“I think the King is very pleased to see the rooms back looking as resplendent as they do,” de Guitaut said.
Tickets for the East Wing are sold out for this summer, but there will be more available next year.