The private rooms used by Queen Elizabeth II at her Scottish residence are set to open to the public for the first time, offering a rare glimpse into the monarch’s personal life as part of commemorations marking the centenary of her birth.
The apartments, located at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, will be accessible to visitors for a limited period in 2026. The initiative is being organised by the Royal Collection Trust, which manages public access to royal residences.
The opening forms part of a special exhibition running for 100 days, during which small guided groups will be taken through the late Queen’s private apartments. The rooms include her Dressing Room, Sitting Room, where the Queen would carry out her official duties, and a Royal Breakfast Room, where she dined privately with Prince Philip.
Unlike the grand State Apartments typically shown to visitors, these spaces have been described as more personal and informal. According to the Royal Collection Trust, the rooms reveal “a rare glimpse into the personal ‘lived-in’ spaces used during private moments.”
Emma Stead, the palace’s curator, said: “Queen Elizabeth II’s well-known love for Scotland will be given fresh context through this unique and special access to the private apartments, where visitors will enjoy a new perspective into both the formal and more informal use of Edinburgh’s royal palace.”
The interiors, dating back to the 17th century, overlook the gardens and Holyrood Park and remain furnished with items from the Royal Collection, alongside personal belongings that reflect the couple’s life in Scotland.
In the Royal Breakfast Room, where the Queen and Prince Philip dined privately, visitors will be able to view Flemish tapestries woven around 1650, displayed there since the 1920s at the request of King George V and Queen Mary. Across the apartments, the exhibition will also feature pieces from Prince Philip’s private art collection, including works by 20th-century Scottish artists gathered over four decades, reflecting what the Royal Collection describes as his “deep appreciation of Scotland’s landscapes and wildlife.”
A selection of the late Queen’s clothing will also be featured, giving visitors a closer look at her attire for official occasions. Displayed in the Dressing Room, where Queen Elizabeth II would get ready for official engagements, is an ensemble worn to the opening of the Scottish Parliament on 1 July, 1999. Designed by Sandra Murray, the outfit includes a purple silk-wool coat worn over a green silk-crepe and lace dress, accompanied by a tartan shawl in purple and green from the Isle of Skye, along with a matching hat, created by milliner Philip Somerville.
Tickets for the tours are now available through the Royal Collection Trust website. Guided tours are scheduled to run from 21 May to 10 September, with prices varying depending on booking time. Adult tickets cost £71 in advance or £75 on the day, while young people aged 18 to 24 can visit for £63 in advance or £66 on the day. Tickets for children aged 5 to 17 are priced at £60 in advance and £62 on the day, with the same pricing applied to disabled visitors.
The opening represents a continuation of a broader effort to make royal residences more accessible to the public. In recent years, parts of other royal properties, including Balmoral Castle, have also been opened for limited tours, reflecting growing public interest in the private lives of the monarchy.
