Buckingham Palace Summer Opening

For two months in the summer, throughout August and September (while the Queen makes her annual jaunt up to Scotland), visitors have the chance to look round Buckingham Palace and admire the interiors of this principal royal residence. Visitors for the Summer Opening tour are permitted access to the nineteen State Rooms which are still used by the Royal Family to receive and entertain guests on state and ceremonial occasions. Decorated in lavish fashion, they include paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens and Canaletto, Sevres porcelain and some of the finest English and French furniture in the world. There are also some exquisite royal gifts, including Faberge Eggs, on display. This is a fascinating opportunity to admire the taste - often wonderful, sometimes comically bad - of Britain's monarchy. Also, as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, there will be a special exhibition which will look into how diamonds have been used by British monarchs over the last 200 years. There will be a beautiful display of many of The Queen's personal collection, some of which she inherited by Her Majesty or acquired during her reign. The exhibition will also uncover the interesting transformations that some of the stones have had, including being re-cut or introduced to a new setting. For an extra price, visitors can buy a special Royal Day Out ticket (?31.95) which includes admission to the Royal Mews stables and the Queen's Gallery as well as the State Rooms. Booking in advance is recommended; visit the website for more information http://www.royalcollection.org.uk.