The King's Gallery, Buckingham Palace

About the museum

The King's Gallery, previously called the Queen's Gallery, was built as a purpose-made gallery at Buckingham Palace and opened to the public in 1962. It stands in the south wing of the palace, on the site of the palace chapel that was destroyed by bombing in the Second World War. In its first decades it welcomed about five million visitors.

The gallery closed in 1999 for refurbishment and expansion to designs by the architect John Simpson. Queen Elizabeth II reopened it on 21 May 2002, during her Golden Jubilee year. The work more than tripled the space and added a separate public entrance with a Doric portico. The gallery is now called the King's Gallery.

There is no permanent display. Royal Collection Trust, the charity that looks after the Royal Collection, shows a rotating selection of its works here, usually around 450 objects, mainly paintings and drawings, but also furniture, fashion and decorative arts. Exhibitions change regularly; the present one, on the fashion of Queen Elizabeth II, runs until 18 April 2027. Visitors enter at timed 15-minute slots and are given a free multimedia guide that lasts about an hour.

Highlights

• Changing exhibitions of works from the Royal Collection
• Purpose-built galleries with a Doric entrance portico added in 2002
• Free multimedia guide of about one hour
• Admission can be converted into a 1-Year Pass for repeat visits

Founded

1962

Operated by

Royal Collection Trust

Admission & discounts

Prices shown are for the current exhibition in 2026 (adult £22.00). For tickets from 2027 the adult price is £24.00, young person £15.50, and child and disabled person £12.00. Group rates apply for 15 or more people. £1 tickets are offered to people receiving Universal Credit and other named UK benefits. A ticket can be converted into a 1-Year Pass with unlimited re-admission; a £2 transaction fee applies when pre-booking a return visit.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: not available
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

There are 17 steps up to the exhibition level, but a lift with voice announcer (145 cm deep, 82 cm wide) and a ramp beside the shop give step-free access. Manual wheelchairs and folding seats can be borrowed free, and mobility scooters that fit the lift can be used. An accessible toilet is in the gallery. Induction loops are at the ticket desks, shop tills and the multimedia guide desk, and the multimedia handsets are T-coil compatible. A plain-English script can be borrowed or downloaded. Assistance dogs are welcome. There is no parking at the gallery; the nearest Blue Badge bays are on Palace Street and in nearby car parks.

Kids & families

• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Baby changing facilities

Pushchairs and buggies cannot be taken into the exhibition space and must be left in a designated area at the owner's risk. Breastfeeding is welcome anywhere in the gallery, and baby-care facilities are available. School workshops and sessions are offered for primary and secondary pupils.

Getting there & parking

On Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays the Changing the Guard ceremony at 11:00 causes crowds and road closures at the front of the palace; the gallery recommends arriving from the direction of Victoria station then.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Coat check

Food and drink are not sold at the gallery, and eating and drinking inside are not allowed except bottled water. Many cafés and restaurants are nearby. Coats and bags can be left at the free cloakroom; bags larger than 45 x 20 x 30 cm and suitcases are not accepted.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit