The State Dining Room at Buckingham Palace, which is normally hung with full-length portraits from the Royal Collection, remains closed because of safety problems with the ceiling. A routine survey last November revealed structural damage to a beam that helps to support the ornately gilded ceiling. Initially, the palace played down reports that the room would be closed to visitors and for official functions for months, but it remained shut in January, with no indication that it will reopen imminently. A spokeswoman for the palace told us last month that “detailed investigation work on the roof space continues” and that action has been taken “to properly protect the art and furniture”.
Buckingham Palace, which has been extended at various times since 1703, has not been systematically restored during the 63-year reign of Elizabeth II. Restorating the building would be an enormous project, costing an estimated £150m. In the meantime, the palace has insufficient funds to tackle the mounting maintenance problems.
The Picture Gallery is next to the State Dining Room. Palace officials have been expressing concern about the Picture Gallery’s roof for many years. In 2011, a palace report described the renewal of its glazed roof as “a high priority”. Many of the Queen’s finest paintings hang in the room, including masterpieces by Vermeer, Rembrandt and Van Dyck. The Royal Collection has said that the paintings are not in danger.
