- Want prime Changing the Guard viewing and a rare look inside The King's Gallery in one outing, rather than juggling two separate bookings.
- Are drawn to the Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style exhibition specifically, with its 300+ pieces from her wardrobe.
- Have 3-4 hours to spare and prefer a guided experience, with a guide and headsets, over navigating each site solo.
The King’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace is a permanent exhibition space dedicated to showcasing changing displays from the Royal Collection. Renamed from The Queen’s Gallery in 2024, it presents everything from old master paintings and rare furniture to decorative arts and photographs, with each exhibition exploring a different theme or aspect of the collection. In 2026, the Gallery hosts Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style, featuring more than 300 items from the late Queen’s personal fashion archive.
Quick overview
- Ticket: Separate King's Gallery ticket required.
- Starting price: From £65.
- Combo available: Yes. A combo with the Changing the Guard walking tour and Royal Mews entry (seasonal) is included.
- Visit duration: 3-4 hours. 4 hours when the Royal Mews is open, 3 hours when it's closed.
- Best time: Monday, Wednesday, or Friday mornings, when the Changing the Guard ceremony takes place.
- Included in Buckingham Palace ticket: No.
Things to know before booking your King's Gallery tickets
- Separate admission: Access to The King's Gallery is not included with a standard ticket to the Buckingham Palace State Rooms. You'll need King’s Gallery Tickets if you want to visit it.
- Combo tickets: This experience bundles King's Gallery entry with the Changing the Guard walking tour and seasonal Royal Mews access. It's worth it if you want prime guard viewpoints and Mews access alongside the gallery, rather than booking each separately.
- Accessibility: The King's Gallery is fully accessible, with concessionary rates for disabled visitors and a free access companion ticket. Manual wheelchairs are available to borrow free of charge, first-come, first-served, and can't be booked in advance. Pushchairs and buggies, however, cannot be taken into the exhibition space and must be left in a designated area at your own risk.
- Timed entry: Entry is by a 15-minute timed admission slot, selected when you book. Latecomers may not be admitted or may face extra waiting at the entrance team's discretion. The multimedia guide takes about an hour, so allow a minimum of an hour for your visit.
- Timings: The Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style exhibition runs 10 April 2026 to 18 April 2027. Standard opening hours are daily 10 am-5:30 pm, extending to 9:30 am-5:30 pm from 9 July-27 September 2026 during the Palace's summer opening. The Gallery opens later, at 2 pm, on select Tuesdays on 6 and 13 October 2026, and it's closed entirely on 20-21 October 2026, 24-26 December 2026, and 26 January 2027. Confirm hours on the official site closer to your visit, since exact hours beyond January 2027 haven't been published yet.
- Booking lead time: Good availability opens up from December 2026 onwards. Book 2-3 weeks in advance if you have a fixed date in mind.
- Security: Be prepared for airport-style security checks upon arrival. Bring as few bags as possible to speed things up.
- Luggage and liquids: Bags larger than 45cm x 20cm x 30cm and suitcases are not permitted inside or in the cloakroom. Smaller large bags, long umbrellas, and similar items must be checked into the free cloakroom. Liquids other than bottled water are restricted throughout the Gallery, due to the textile-based nature of the current exhibition.
Is it worth it?
Go for it if you
Skip it if you
- Only want to watch the ceremony for free from the street. The standalone Changing the Guard Ceremony ticket covers that without paying for gallery access you won't use.
- Want to see inside Buckingham Palace itself. This ticket doesn't include the State Rooms at all.
- Are travelling with a pram or pushchair. The King’s Gallery is accessible, but pushchairs and buggies may need to be left in a designated area during busy periods. Baby carriers and hip seats are available to borrow, subject to availability.
Standalone vs combo?
| Option | Best for |
|---|---|
| The State Rooms | First-time visitors who want to see inside the Palace itself, including the Throne Room and White Drawing Room, during the limited July-September opening. |
| Changing the Guard Ceremony | Visitors who want a focused, low-cost, time-efficient look at the ceremony, without adding a gallery or Mews visit. |
| King's Gallery with Changing the Guard and optional Royal Mews | Visitors who want the ceremony, the King's Gallery, and the Royal Mews combined into one guided outing, without booking three tickets separately. |
Your ticket options explained
| Access / Factor | The State Rooms only | Changing the Guard Ceremony only | King's Gallery with Changing the Guard and optional Royal Mews |
|---|---|---|---|
State Rooms access | Yes | No | No |
King's Gallery access | No | No | Yes |
Royal Mews access | No | No | Optional, seasonal |
Changing the Guard | No | Yes | Yes |
Guide included | No, audio guide only (guided tours available as a paid upgrade) | Yes, expert guide | Yes, expert guide |
Why go for it | See inside the Palace itself, during the limited summer opening | Focused, low-cost ceremony viewing | Ceremony, gallery, and Mews in one guided outing |
Starting price | From £33 | From £14 | From £65 |
How to best experience The King’s Gallery
Best time to visit
Choose a weekday morning around 10 am, when the exhibition is likely to be quieter and easier to view without large groups. Start with the main displays before visitor numbers increase later in the day.
How long to spend
Allow about 60–90 minutes for a self-guided visit. This gives you time to follow the exhibition’s story, read labels and study the clothing and accessories. A shorter visit is possible, but rushing may mean overlooking the details in the displays.
Where it fits in your itinerary
The King’s Gallery works well as part of a Buckingham Palace day. Pair it with the State Rooms or the Royal Mews only if you want a longer royal-themed itinerary. Visit the gallery when you are fresh, since the exhibition rewards careful reading and close observation.
Crowd patterns
The gallery is generally more comfortable on weekday mornings than during weekends, public or school holidays. Crowds may gather around the most recognisable dresses and ceremonial outfits, so viewing these displays can take longer at busy times.
What to prioritise if time is short
Begin with the exhibition’s most important ceremonial and public-life displays, including Queen Elizabeth II’s wedding and coronation dresses, then look at the hats, jewellery and accessories. These objects show how her clothing reflected major royal occasions and public duties.
Common mistakes to avoid
Do not focus only on the most famous gowns. The exhibition includes more than 300 objects, including accessories, clothing and items connected with important public occasions. Allow time to read the interpretation, because the objects are presented as part of the Queen’s changing public and personal life.
Exploring inside The King’s Gallery
The King’s Gallery is a purpose-built exhibition venue for changing displays from the Royal Collection. Its principal spaces include the Nash Gallery, Chambers Gallery and Pennethorne Gallery, each offering a different scale and visual setting. Because the displays change with each exhibition, follow the current route and introductory information rather than expecting a fixed presentation.
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The Nash Gallery
The Nash Gallery is one of the gallery’s principal exhibition spaces and is suited to large-scale paintings and other substantial works. Take in the arrangement from a distance when you enter, then move closer to examine individual objects. This wide view helps you understand how the exhibition’s larger works have been grouped.
The Chambers Gallery
The Chambers Gallery is a more intimate exhibition space that can be used for works requiring a controlled display environment, including drawings and prints. The objects shown may vary by exhibition. Move slowly through this room and inspect the labels, where the significance of smaller or more delicate works is often explained.
The Pennethorne Gallery
The Pennethorne Gallery has a more traditional, palace-like character than the larger contemporary exhibition spaces. It can provide an appropriate setting for paintings, furniture and decorative arts, depending on the exhibition. Look at the relationship between the objects and the room itself before focusing on individual pieces.
Smaller display spaces
The gallery also includes smaller spaces that may be used for focused presentations. Their contents and arrangement can change with the exhibition, so they should not be described as permanent cabinet rooms with a fixed purpose. Check the exhibition labels to see how each smaller space contributes to the overall story.
Historical & cultural significance
The King’s Gallery began as one of three Ionic-temple conservatories designed by John Nash and completed in 1831. Converted into Queen Victoria’s private chapel in 1843, it was destroyed in an air raid in 1940. At the suggestion of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, the ruined chapel became a public gallery for the Royal Collection in 1962. A £20-million expansion opened in May 2002 for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, creating more flexible exhibition spaces. Renamed The King’s Gallery in 2024, it now hosts changing exhibitions from the Royal Collection.
Current exhibitions at The King's Gallery
Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style
- When: April 10, 2026–April 18, 2027
- Opening time: Daily, generally 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
- Last admission: 4:15 p.m.
This is the only exhibition currently listed for The King’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace during 2026–27. It features more than 300 objects from Queen Elizabeth II’s wardrobe, including her wedding dress and coronation dress, and explores her changing style from princess to queen and from private clothing to official dress.
The exhibition was originally due to close on October 18, 2026, but the Royal Collection Trust has extended it until April 18, 2027.
Plan your visit to The King's Gallery
The King’s Gallery operates timed admission separately from Buckingham Palace’s State Rooms. Select a 15-minute arrival slot when booking; check the official booking calendar for the exact opening time and any date-specific changes.
- Opening: April 10 to October 18, 2026: 10am to 5:30pm (last entry 4:15pm)
- Best time to visit: The King's Gallery is open for most of the year, offering a great alternative when the palace is closed. The best time to visit is during the off-season (October to June) or on any weekday morning.
Address: Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA, United Kingdom | Find on Maps
- By tube: Victoria line
Nearest stations: Victoria, Green Park, St. James's Park, and Hyde Park Corner - By train: Southern
Nearest stations: Victoria and Charing Cross - By bus: Bus routes 11, 211, C1, and C10
Nearest stops: Buckingham Palace Road or Victoria Coach Station
- Artworks: Please do not touch any artworks or display cases.
- Photography: Photography for personal, non-commercial use is permitted without flash or tripods/selfie sticks.
- Bag policy: Large bags, backpacks (which should be carried by your side), and long umbrellas must be checked into the cloakroom.
- Outside food and drink: Food and drink, other than bottled water, are not allowed in the galleries.
- Security check: Security checks similar to those at airports are in place upon entry.
- Wheelchair access: The King’s Gallery is accessible to visitors with disabilities. Although there are 17 steps to the exhibition level, a lift provides access to the main exhibition area. A ramp is available beside the gallery shop. Mobility scooters can be used if they fit safely in the lift and meet its size and weight limits.
- Wheelchair on loan: Manual wheelchairs and rollators can be borrowed free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Toilets: An accessible toilet is available inside The King’s Gallery.
- Carer tickets: Concessionary admission is available for disabled visitors, and a free access companion ticket can be booked for an accompanying carer.
- Guide materials: A multimedia guide is available in English. Large-print wall texts are available in booklets, while translations of the main wall panels are available in several languages.
- Assistance animals: Assistance animals are welcome inside The King’s Gallery.
- Understand the gallery’s flow: The King’s Gallery has three principal spaces: the Nash Gallery, Chambers Gallery and Pennethorne Gallery. Their displays change with each exhibition, so follow the current route and read the introduction before choosing where to linger.
- Choose your visiting time: Royal Collection Trust does not identify an officially quietest day or time. A weekday morning may be more comfortable, but visitor numbers vary. Use the timed-entry calendar and choose a slot that allows an unhurried visit.
- Go beyond the display: Look beyond the most recognisable garments. Read the labels to understand how clothing and accessories communicated identity, occasion and public role.
- Focus on details: Examine the fabric, embroidery, fastenings, jewellery and hats. These details often reveal craftsmanship and symbolism that are easy to miss when viewing an outfit from a distance.
Frequently asked questions about The King's Gallery
No, access to The King's Gallery requires a separate ticket. It is a distinct attraction from the Buckingham Palace State Rooms.
Allocate 1 to 1.5 hours for The King's Gallery. If also visiting Buckingham Palace (seasonal), allow 2-3 hours for the State Rooms.
No. While not strictly "skip-the-line," booking timed tickets in advance is highly recommended to guarantee entry and reduce waiting times.
The King's Gallery typically offers a complimentary multimedia guide, which lasts approximately 1 hour. Formal guided tours are less common, but private tours may be available by arrangement.
Advance booking online is strongly recommended, especially during peak season, to secure your preferred entry time. On-the-day tickets may be available but are not guaranteed.
Photography for personal, non-commercial use is generally permitted, but flash, tripods, and selfie sticks are usually prohibited. Specific exhibition rules may vary.
Yes, a free multimedia guide is provided to enhance your self-guided tour. You can pick it up at the entrance.
Your ticket includes access only to The King's Gallery exhibition. No other parts of Buckingham Palace are included.
