Buckingham Palace for Visitors

London is normally full of tourists during August and September as the world comes to visit. There was a time when I would caution anyone from visiting Europe's most thrilling city at such a time, However few can choose their vacation dates, and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth has changed London's summer visiting scene by opening up Buckingham Palace during these months, (until 28 September this year), while she and the Royal Family are enjoying a Highland respite at Balmoral Castle.

Buckingham Palace is a lived-in working residence for Britain's Head of State with a staff of some 500. The imposing State Rooms are in constant use for what they were designed and decorated for by George IV and succeeding monarchs; great State Occasions. Unlike museums which so often have the dead feel of a flyblown case of dead butterfly specimens, the Palace is vibrant with the energy of use. It has been the official residence of the monarch since the accession of Queen Victoria in 1837. Now, some 50,000 people visit the palace each year as guests of Her Majesty, Her Consort Prince Philip or the Prince of Wales to banquets or more informal lunches and dinners, receptions, investitures and the famous summer Garden Parties attended by invited dignitaries and their partners from all over the country.

I like to visit the Palace each summer if possible, to admire the works of art, sculptural and horological masterpieces, porcelain and furniture that are on display in the State Rooms and make up part of Britain's remarkable Royal Collection heritage. I managed a belated visit a week ago.

The long picture gallery holds pictures by van Dyck, Rembrandt, Rubens, Vermeer, Poussin, Canaletto and Claude. Elsewhere there are sculptures by Canova and Chantrey, some of the finest English and French furniture in the world and exquisite examples of Sèvres and Chelsea porcelain. This latter soft paste porcelain inspired by Meissen and Sevres work was produced from 1743 until 1769 by Nicholas Sprimont a French Huguenot silversmith who made the Chelsea factory in London the country's pre-eminent porcelain manufactory in the country. Pieces from this period before the company was taken over by William Duesbury of Derby on Sprimont's death are very rare and very desirable. The complete dinner service on display at Buckingham Palace must be unique and has a remarkable history, having been transported to America before being returned to the city of its manufacture.

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