British Queen Opens Royal Gardens to Public for First Time in 70 Years: "Healing in the COVID Era"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom is opening the Buckingham Palace lawn garden to the public for the first time during her 70-year reign.

According to the Washington Post (WP) on the 8th (local time), visitors can enter by paying 16.5 pounds (about 26,000 won). Visitors are allowed to bring items such as chicken or picnic mats, and casual attire like slippers is permitted.

Previously, walking on the lawn was not allowed, but the royal family stated that it was opened to the British people who endured a difficult time during the COVID-19 pandemic.

WP reported that before the COVID-19 pandemic, Queen Elizabeth used to hold garden parties on the Buckingham Palace lawn in May to June, before staying in Scotland for 10 weeks.

▲Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

About 8,000 winners attended these parties, and both men and women had to wear formal attire. 20,000 cakes and champagne were served.

They were allowed to tour the offices inside the palace and walk along the colonnades, but staying or having picnics there was prohibited.

After COVID-19, palace tours and royal garden parties were suspended, and instead, picnics in the garden began.

However, knives for cutting sausages and cheese, as well as alcoholic beverages such as beer and wine, are strictly prohibited. Pets are also not allowed.

The royal family expects about 2,000 visitors per day.

Derek Tarr (75), a specialist in British garden tours, said about the uniqueness of the royal garden, "You have to see what it feels like to have nearly 50,000 pyeong (approximately 165,000 square meters) of garden in the middle of London, and moreover, not to see tall buildings around it."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.