Buckingham Palace hosts some of Britain’s biggest ceremonies and celebrations. From historic moments that shaped the nation to the ceremonial events that keep royal traditions alive, the palace has seen everything from quiet investitures to vast public celebrations.
These events show the monarchy’s role in national life and provide the pageantry many people think of as quintessentially British. Most, though, are invitation only or need advance planning to witness.
Famous Moments Through History
The palace has been the backdrop to many of the defining moments in modern British history. Here are some of the most famous, in order.
1851
Queen Victoria makes the first recorded royal balcony appearance, during the Great Exhibition, beginning a tradition that continues for major national occasions.
1914
Emmeline Pankhurst leads around 20,000 suffragettes to the palace gates to demand votes for women. Her arrest there cements the palace as a stage for protest as well as celebration.
1940
The palace is bombed during the Blitz, one of nine times it was hit in the Second World War, with the King and Queen choosing to remain in London.
1945
On VE Day, King George VI, Queen Elizabeth, and the two princesses appear on the balcony with Winston Churchill to mark the end of the war in Europe, creating one of the most famous images in British history.
1981
The balcony kiss of Charles, Prince of Wales, and Lady Diana Spencer after their wedding becomes an instant national moment and sets the template for royal weddings to come.
2002
The Golden Jubilee draws over a million people to The Mall, and the “Party at the Palace” concert in the gardens is watched by a television audience of around 200 million.
2011
Prince William and Catherine Middleton repeat the famous balcony kiss after their wedding, watched by a global audience.
2012
The Diamond Jubilee marks 60 years of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign with a concert, a river pageant on the Thames, and huge crowds along The Mall.
2022
The Platinum Jubilee celebrates 70 years on the throne with the “Platinum Party at the Palace”, a drone show, and the Queen’s comic sketch with Paddington Bear.
Regular Royal Events
Alongside the one-off occasions, several ceremonies happen on a regular schedule. These are the ones you have a real chance of seeing.
Trooping the Colour
The Sovereign’s official birthday parade each June, with over 1,000 soldiers, the Household Cavalry, and an RAF flypast over the balcony. See our Trooping the Colour guide.
Changing of the Guard
The free ceremony outside the palace gates several mornings a week, with a military band and the famous bearskin caps. See our Changing of the Guard guide.
Royal Garden Parties
Three parties each summer, hosting around 8,000 guests for afternoon tea in recognition of public service. See our garden parties guide.
State Opening of Parliament
Each autumn the monarch leaves the palace in a ceremonial procession to open Parliament at Westminster, one of the grandest constitutional occasions of the year.
Events Behind Closed Doors
Many of the palace’s most important events happen out of public view, inside the State Rooms and the Ballroom:
- State Banquets: lavish dinners in the Ballroom for visiting heads of state, with ceremonial toasts and the Royal Collection on display.
- Investitures: ceremonies in the Ballroom or Throne Room where the King confers knighthoods, OBEs, and MBEs on people recognised for service.
- The Diplomatic Reception: the King welcomes hundreds of ambassadors and high commissioners in the State Rooms each year.
Can You See a Palace Event?
Most palace events are invitation only, but a few are open to the public:
- Changing of the Guard: free to watch from outside the gates, several mornings a week.
- Trooping the Colour: a limited number of seats are sold each year by public ballot, and the procession along The Mall is free to watch.
- Balcony appearances: on major national occasions you can watch from The Mall and around the Victoria Memorial.
- The State Rooms: open to ticket-holders each summer (see the ticket options above).
Garden parties, State Banquets, and investitures are all invitation only and cannot be booked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the public attend events at Buckingham Palace?
Most events are invitation only or need advance tickets. Free events like the Changing of the Guard are open to all but draw large crowds, and major celebrations sometimes have limited public viewing areas.
How do you get invited to palace events?
Invitations to garden parties and investitures come through official nomination by government departments, charities, and organisations with royal patronage. You cannot apply directly.
When do balcony appearances happen?
During major royal celebrations and national occasions: jubilees, royal weddings, Trooping the Colour, and significant anniversaries. They are not regularly scheduled.
What is the most famous event at Buckingham Palace?
The VE Day balcony appearance in 1945 and the royal wedding balcony kisses of 1981 and 2011 are among the most famous, along with the jubilee celebrations.
How far in advance are palace events planned?
Major events like jubilees take years to plan, while regular ceremonies like Trooping the Colour follow an annual schedule. State visits are usually arranged months ahead.
Do palace events go ahead in bad weather?
Most outdoor events happen whatever the weather, though extreme conditions can cause changes. Indoor events are unaffected.