AS PARTS OF EAST WING OPEN TO PUBLIC FOR FIRST TIME INSIDE BUCKINGHAM PALACE WE LOOK BACK ON THE MOST MEMORABLE BALCONY MOMENTS, FROM WEDDINGS TO THE END OF WAR

For more than 170 years, it has been the focus of royal celebrations, where generations have gathered for weddings, coronations and birthdays, as well as to commemorate the ends of two world wars.

- TRACY SCHAVERIEN H

Accompanied by his Queen, the newly crowned Charles III waves to crowds from the balcony after his coronation in May last year. Flanking them are (from left) the Duke of Edinburgh, Lady Louise Windsor, the Earl of Wessex, the Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Charlotte, the Princess of Wales, Prince Louis, the Prince of Wales, pages of honour Ralph Tollemache, Prince George, Lord Oliver Cholmondeley, Nicholas Barclay and Freddy Parker Bowles, Gus Lopes, Arthur Elliot, Annabel Elliot, Louis Lopes, the Marchioness of Lansdowne, Princess Alexandra, the Duke of Kent and the Duchess and Duke of Gloucester

From Queen Victoria stepping out to wave to her subjects in 1851 to Charles III's first appearance there as monarch after his coronation last year, Buckingham Palace's balcony has long been a centrepiece for the royal family's unique brand of pomp and ceremony.

Now, with the public about to be given unprecedented access to the East Wing - the front façade that includes the famous balcony overlooking The Mall after five years of renovations, HELLO! looks back on the rich history of a landmark we have previously only been able to admire from afar.

During July and August, the East Wing will open to tourists for guided tours to the spectacular rooms on the Principal Floor, furnished with items from the royal collection.

Although visitors will not be permitted to stand on the balcony itself, they will be able to wander around the Centre Room, which lies directly behind it.

Nicknamed the "royal waiting room", it has played host to countless family members, as well as two Prime Ministers - Winston Churchill and Neville Chamberlain - and foreign royals as they prepared for their big balcony moments.