Late Queen’s private rooms at Scottish palace to open to visitors for first time
Queen Elizabeth II’s private rooms at her official Scottish residence are to be opened to the public for the first time to mark the centenary of her birth.
Visitors will be able to tour the “personal lived-in” apartments used by the Queen and Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh, as they go behind the scenes at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.
The Queen and Philip used to occupy a suite of private rooms, which date from the 17th century, on the palace’s east side, which offered views of the gardens and Holyrood Park, during their stays at the monarchy’s official residence in Scotland.
The Royal Collection Trust said: “These modestly decorated rooms offer a rare glimpse into the personal ‘lived-in’ spaces used during private moments between official duties.”
Small groups will be given a rare glimpse of the royal family’s life behind closed doors by expert guides who will share the history of the spaces – used by successive monarchs and their families since Queen Victoria’s reign – and reveal how they were used by Elizabeth II and her consort.
In the Sitting Room, the Queen would carry out her official duties by reviewing the papers and documents presented in her red boxes and also holding private audiences, working from a small antique desk facing the central window, overlooking the gardens.
To the right of the fire is the flat screen TV where the Queen – for whom racing was a lifelong passion – would watch the sport during her downtime while resting between engagements.
On show in the Dressing Room, to give a sense of how the Queen would prepare for her official engagements, will be three ensembles from her wardrobe, each worn for a key occasion in Edinburgh.
It was inspired by the Scottish landscape, reflecting designer Sandra Murray’s interest in her Scottish heritage.
The matching Philip Somerville hat was trimmed with a bow made of the coat’s silk-wool fabric, and also curled dark-green feathers.
Each year in late June or early July the Queen would stay at the palace for Holyrood Week and host an annual garden party for 8,000 guests.
A white tweed Karl Ludwig van Rehse coat, highlighted with accents of pink, yellow and green within the weave, and a pink wool crepe day dress which the Queen wore to a garden party in the palace grounds in 2017 will also be seen by visitors.
The duke was an enthusiastic collector of contemporary Scottish art and works from his private collection, including pieces by 20th‑century Scottish artists and those demonstrating his “deep appreciation of Scotland’s landscapes and wildlife” will form part of the tour, the Royal Collection said.
Emma Stead, the palace’s curator, said: “Queen Elizabeth II’s well-known love for Scotland will be given fresh context through this unique and special access to the private apartments, where visitors will enjoy a new perspective into both the formal and more informal use of Edinburgh’s royal palace.”
Royal Collection Trust email subscribers will be given priority access to book tour tickets, at an offer price of £61 from March 9, with remaining tour tickets, costing £71 in advance for adults or £75 on the day, going on general sale on March 12.
The cost includes standard admission to the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
The Queen Elizabeth II Private Apartment Tours, available only this year, will run daily for 100 days from May 21 to September 10.