When St James’s Palace opens its doors to public tours later this spring, visitors will have the chance to visit the room where the formal proclamation of King Charles III took place in September 2022.

The palace is not normally open to tours, however after a few years of a pilot programme testing out tours, its doors are set to open later this spring to officially welcome in visitors for a walk through 500 years of history.

Most recently, St James’s Palace was the site of King Charles III’s accession in 2022. The Picture Gallery held the Accession Council that formally proclaimed him the Sovereign on 10 September 2022, in the presence of Queen Camilla and the Prince of Wales; and the Throne Room held the King’s first Privy Council. Both were broadcast on television for the first time in history.

The Picture Gallery was constructed during Queen Victoria’s reign and houses important artwork while also hosting important royal functions, like the Accession Councils for monarchs. The Throne Room, where the titular throne dates back to King George IV’s reign and represents the official seat of monarchy.

King Charles was proclaimed King at his Accession Council, which is a ceremony that formally announces the death of the monarch’s predecessor and proclaims their succession. Only 200 members of the 700-strong Privy Council were permitted to attend due to spacing issues.

Following the Accession Council, the King hosted his first Privy Council meeting in the Throne Room, where he declared: “And in carrying out the heavy task that has been laid upon me, and to which I now dedicate what remains to me of my life, I pray for the guidance and help of almighty God.”

Also included on the tour is the Colour Court, one of the four courtyards at the Palace; the Chapel Royal, where Queen Victoria married Prince Albert in 1840; the Lower Corridor, an ornate hallway with priceless royal portraits hanging on the walls; the Grand Staircase, an ornate staircase that leads to the State Apartments; and the Tapestry Room, where a fireplace originating from King Henry VIII’s reign is housed.

St James’s Palace tour tickets go on sale to the public on 26 February for selected dates between 11 April-31 May. Tickets are available through the Royal Collection Trust.