Late Queen's private rooms at Scottish palace to open to visitors

The private rooms that Queen Elizabeth II used at her official Scottish residence are to be opened to the public for the first time to mark the centenary of her birth. Visitors will be able to tour the rooms at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh for a short period from 21 May, with small groups guided through the late Queen's "personal, lived‑in" apartments. During their stays at the palace, the Queen and her husband Philip would occupy a suite of private rooms, which date from the 17th century, on the palace's east side, which offered views of the gardens and Holyrood Park. The apartments on the tour include the Queen's Dressing Room, where she prepared for engagements, and the Sitting Room where the Queen - a lifelong racing enthusiast - would watch the sport during her downtime. Tours will run from 21 May to 10 September, with Royal Collection Trust email subscribers able to book early at a special offer price from Monday 9 March. Remaining tickets will go on general sale on Thursday 12 March at a cost of £75. The tours must be booked in addition to the standard admission ticket to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, costing £22 in advance and £26 on the day. The tour of the priv