Historic First: St James's Palace Unlocks Its Doors to Commoners

Royal enthusiasts have been granted unprecedented access to one of Britain's most historically significant and previously off-limits royal residences, but you'll need to act fast if you want to secure a spot on the exclusive tour list.

St James's Palace, the formal seat of the Royal Court and London's most senior royal palace, is now welcoming public visitors following successful trial runs in 2022 and 2023. The Royal Collection Trust has confirmed that small guided groups will be permitted to explore the historic halls and chambers where centuries of royal history have unfolded.

However, if you're hoping to walk in the footsteps of Tudor monarchs and modern-day royalty, you'll need to plan well ahead. The initial release of tickets for April and May tours vanished within hours of becoming available, highlighting the extraordinary demand for this rare opportunity.

"The response has been overwhelming," revealed a Royal Collection Trust spokesperson. "We strongly recommend that interested visitors sign up for our email newsletter immediately to receive priority notification when future dates are released. This really is the only way to ensure you don't miss out, as we've seen tickets disappear almost instantly."

The £85 per person admission may seem steep, but the Trust defends the pricing as "benchmarked across the sector and reflecting the unique and special access visitors will experience." Unlike the more commercial tours of Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace, the St James's experience offers intimate access to spaces rarely seen by non-royals.

Among the highlights is the magnificent Throne Room, which gained renewed significance in September 2022 when it hosted the Accession Council that formally proclaimed Charles III as monarch. Visitors will also marvel at the palace's remarkably preserved Tudor architecture, including the distinctive red-brick gatehouse and courtyard commissioned by Henry VIII between 1531 and 1536.

The 90-minute tour additionally encompasses the Grand Staircase, Armoury, Tapestry Room, Queen Anne Room, Entrée Room, Picture Gallery, and a privileged view of the Chapel Royal from the balcony – spaces steeped in centuries of royal ceremonies, diplomatic receptions, and historic moments.

While the current monarch resides at nearby Buckingham Palace, St James's Palace remains the official headquarters of the Royal Court, hosting important state occasions and serving as the London residence for several members of the royal family.

The Royal Collection Trust has expressed hope that these tours will continue beyond May 2025, although no specific dates have been confirmed. History suggests that when additional tickets do become available, they will likely sell out just as rapidly.

"Joining our newsletter is genuinely the best strategy," emphasized the Trust spokesperson. "Subscribers receive advance notice before tickets go on general sale, giving them a crucial advantage in securing these highly sought-after experiences."

For royal watchers determined to experience this exceptional glimpse behind palace doors, signing up for alerts appears to be the only realistic path to touring what has been, until now, one of Britain's most exclusive royal addresses.