You can visit The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace at your leisure using the complimentary multimedia guide, which lasts approximately 1 hour.

We operate a timed admission system in 15 minute time slots. This is the time you select when purchasing your ticket.

Security screening

On arrival, you and your belongings will be subject to airport-style security checks. Try to bring as little as possible with you as it will help you to get through security screening more quickly.

Just as at the airport, please remove all metal objects from your pockets before going through the security arch. For efficiency, we advise packing cameras, phones, keys and wallets in your bag before placing the bag through the security scanner.

Luggage

The Gallery is equipped with a cloakroom where you may store coats and bags free of charge for the duration of your visit. Some items are not permitted into the exhibition space and must be stored in the cloakroom, such as long umbrellas and large bags.

Please note that very large suitcases and heavy luggage may only be permitted at the discretion of our staff, and provided the items are able to pass through the security scanner.

You may carry handbags and use pacemakers, hearing aids and other electrical or electronic equipment needed for health reasons. Please approach a member of staff if you have any concerns or require assistance.

Animals

Animals, other than guide, hearing or assistance animals, will not be admitted.

Restricted and prohibited items

Neither smoking nor vaping (the use of electronic cigarettes) are permitted anywhere in The King's Gallery.

Some items must be checked in and reclaimed at the end of the visit. Other items may not be brought into the Gallery at all. 

The following items must be checked in on arrival and reclaimed at the end of your visit:

• Pen knives and knives with blades under 7.7cm (3”)
• Scissors
• Kirpans (the Sikh article of faith) where the blade exceeds 7.7cm (3”)
• Large bags that can fit through airport-style security scanners
• Long umbrellas
• Pushchairs and buggies (baby-carriers and hip-carriers are available to borrow, subject to availability)
• Alcoholic drinks in sealed containers
• Paints/aerosols

The following items may not be brought into The King's Gallery:

• Bicycles, folding bikes, roller-skates or skateboards
• Large bags that cannot fit through airport-style security scanners
• Drones

The following items are unlawful to carry in a public space in the United Kingdom and may be confiscated from you if you attempt to bring them into the Gallery:

• Knife with a blade over 7.7cm (3”)
• Knife with a lockable blade (unless you have a reasonable excuse for having it with you)
• Butterfly knife
• Flick knife
• CS or pepper sprays

As Buckingham Palace is a working royal palace, security and opening arrangements may be subject to change at short notice. Check closure details.

Due to copyright laws, photography is not allowed in the exhibition Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography.

Applications for commercial filming should be submitted through this application form.

Out of consideration to other visitors, we ask that you go out of the exhibition space into the foyer if you need to make or answer a phone call.

Enhance your experience at the Gallery with our free multimedia guide, available in English, including commentary from our experts and special insights into the exhibition. You are welcome to use your own standard wired headphones if you prefer.

There are descriptive text panels on the walls giving overviews on the exhibition and the objects. Booklets are available containing large-print versions of these texts, as well as translations of the main wall panels into Brazilian Portuguese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Russian and Spanish. Please ask a member of staff at the multimedia guide desk.

Exhibition labels are also available in a number of languages online.

Eating and drinking are not permitted inside The King's Gallery, except for bottled water. You will be asked to place drinks and food in closed bags before being admitted. Food and drink are not available for purchase at the Gallery, but there are many cafés, pubs and restaurants in the local area.

Pushchairs can be taken into the Gallery except at very busy times, when they will need to be left in a designated area at your own risk. In those circumstances baby carriers and hip seats can be borrowed free of charge, subject to availability, and will be sanitised between uses.

Breastfeeding is welcome anywhere within the Gallery.

Toilets and baby-care facilities are located in the Gallery.

Toilets and baby-care facilities are available.

Enjoy free re-admission for a year by converting your ticket to a 1-Year Pass.  At the end of your visit, don’t forget to ask a Warden to stamp your ticket to convert it into a 1-Year Pass. 

Find out how to book using an existing 1-Year Pass.

The King's Gallery is accessible. Concessionary rates are available if you have a disability and a companion is admitted free of charge.