The famous gates at the front of Buckingham Palace are to be stripped back and repainted after years of wear and tear from the hands of countless tourists. The King has approved the restoration project, which will see the railings returned to their historic 'bronze green' colour, a shade with poignant royal connections.
A Colour Steeped in History
Planning documents reveal the gates, installed in the early 1900s for the coronation of King George V, were originally a dark 'bronze green'. However, they were painted black in the 1930s and have remained that way for decades. Now, detailed paint analysis and historical research commissioned by the Royal Household has dictated the return to the original shade.
This specific green carries a special significance for the Royal Family. It was the colour used for the private cars and the Land Rover hearse that carried the coffin of the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, at his funeral. Furthermore, Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Camilla, and Princess Anne all wore shades of green at a 2022 memorial service honouring his life.
The Toll of Public Admiration
The need for the refurbishment is directly attributed to the palace's immense popularity. Official papers describe the area as one of 'extremely high foot traffic', making the gates 'highly vulnerable to wear and tear from contact by members of the public'. Simply put, the paint has been rubbed off by thousands of visitors who gather at the iconic site every year.
Royal officials stated the gates 'form an important part of the overall impression of the Palace' for all who see them. The project will involve complete paint removal, necessary repairs, and redecoration of both the main gates—featuring the Royal Coat of Arms with symbols for England, Scotland, and Ireland—and the surrounding railings in the Fore Court. The work will be done in situ to avoid damaging the historic ironwork.
Recent Damage and Restoration Goals
This is not the first time the gates have needed repair in recent years. In March 2024, a man named Johnny Scott, 26, drove his VW Polo into the south centre gate, causing damage that cost £24,493 to fix. No royals were present during the incident.
The current restoration, guided by historic paint specialist Patrick Baty, aims for more than just a fresh coat. Officials say the new finish will 'reinstate the historically appropriate appearance of the metalwork while providing long-term protection and visual coherence within the setting'. The return to bronze green is a deliberate move to honour the palace's architectural history and its personal connections to the late Duke of Edinburgh.
