Historic Access to Queen Elizabeth II's Private Scottish Residence
In an unprecedented move, the private apartments occupied by the late Queen Elizabeth II during her stays at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Scotland will be accessible to the public for the first and only time. This exclusive opportunity forms part of a special tour scheduled to run for precisely 100 days in 2026, commemorating what would have been Her Majesty's centennial year.
A Limited Engagement Celebrating a Royal Legacy
The tours are set to commence on 21 May 2026 and will conclude on 10 September 2026. Visitors will be granted a rare glimpse into the personal, lived-in spaces that the Queen and Prince Philip utilised during their frequent visits to Edinburgh. These apartments, located on the east side of the Palace, boast breathtaking views of the meticulously maintained gardens and the expansive Holyrood Park.
The history of these rooms stretches back centuries, with some areas dating to the 17th century and having been used by other members of the Royal Family, including Queen Victoria. The couple's well-documented affection for Scotland is intimately connected to Holyroodhouse, their official residence in the Scottish capital.
Inside the Monarch's Private World
The tour itinerary promises an intimate exploration of several key rooms. Guests will enter the Royal Breakfast Room, where the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh took their meals. This space is adorned with magnificent Flemish tapestries from the 1650s, which were installed by King George V and Queen Mary in the 1920s.
Another highlight is the Dressing Room, where Elizabeth II prepared for her official duties. This room will feature three significant items from her wardrobe, each worn during pivotal events in Edinburgh:
- A purple silk-wool coat, paired with a green silk-crepe and lace dress, a matching tartan shawl, and a feathered hat by milliner Philip Somerville, worn for the official opening of the Scottish Parliament on 1 July 1999.
- A white, pink, gold, and cream silk dress designed by John Anderson for the Commonwealth Heads of Government reception in 1997.
- A white tweed coat and pink wool crepe day dress by Karl Ludwig van Rehse, worn for a Garden Party at the Palace during the 2017 'Holyrood Week'.
The tour also includes access to the Sitting Room, where the monarch handled official paperwork, conducted private audiences, and occasionally relaxed by watching horseracing on television.
Art, Furnishings, and Broader Palace Access
Throughout the apartments, visitors will encounter Prince Philip's personal art collection, which reflects his passion for collecting contemporary Scottish works. The furnishings, part of the Royal Collection, include pieces crafted by the Edinburgh-based firm Young, Trotter and Hamilton. These were originally supplied in 1796 for the arrival of Charles-Philippe, Comte d'Artois, the brother-in-law of Marie Antoinette, who sought refuge in Scotland during the French Revolution.
Following the tour of the Queen's private apartments, the ticket also grants access to the historic State Apartments of Mary, Queen of Scots, offering a comprehensive historical experience within the Palace.
Ticket Information and Curatorial Insight
Ticket sales have now commenced. Subscribers to the Royal Collection Trust email list are being offered priority booking at an exclusive promotional price. Any remaining tickets will be released for general sale on Thursday, 12 March.
Emma Stead, a curator at Holyroodhouse, remarked on the significance of this event: 'Queen Elizabeth II's well-known love for Scotland will be given fresh context. Through this unique and special access to the private apartments, visitors will enjoy a new perspective into both the formal and more informal use of Edinburgh's royal palace.'
This limited engagement represents a singular chance for the public to connect with a deeply personal aspect of the late Queen's life and her enduring connection to Scotland.
