Скачать или смотреть UK: BUCKINGHAM PALACE OPEN TO TOURISTS

(6 Aug 1999) English/Nat

Buckingham Palace opened for it's own summer tourist season on Friday.

As the Queen and royal family enjoy their summer holiday at Balmoral in Scotland or cruising in the Greek Isles, thousands of people will be allowed inside the palace to get a rare glimpse of life behind the palace walls.

It is only the seventh year that Buckingham Palace has been opened to the public for the summer, while the royal family who normally reside there take their annual holiday at Balmoral.

As many as 300- thousand people are expected to view the inside of the palace during August and September.

Cleaners, painters, carpenters and officials have been hard at work getting the palace ready, painstakingly cleaning the priceless works of art adorning the walls.

Painters, using water-based eggshell paint as a fire precaution, have decorated door frames and skirting boards and will "touch up" any knocks and scrapes every morning while the palace is open.

The Palace has 19 state rooms, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms.

The house was built in 1677 and was bought by George III in 1762 to provide a private family house separate from the then official residence - St James's Palace

The late Queen Victoria was the first sovereign to take up residence just three weeks after her accession on July 13 1837 and the Palace was further extended during her reign.

Visitors to the palace will also be able to take home some royal souvenirs from the Buckingham palace gift shop.

Some of the items on sale include a 14 hundred pound cruet set made from solid silver.

While for a little less, many visitors will be able to purchase small gifts including a royal tea cosie for ten pounds.

Since it's first opening seven years ago, Buckingham Palace has proved a popular tourist attraction.

While some have said the palace tour gives only a sterile insight to the royal residence, the 170 wardens who have been taken on to help members of the public during the tours are expecting thousands to flock to it for a glimpse inside the hallowed walls.

Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter:   / ap_archive  
Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​
Instagram:   / apnews  


You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...