Queen to rent out Palace for Olympics: Royals will let firms hire St James's Throne Room for £30,000 a day | Mail Online
Queen to rent out Palace for Olympics: Royals will let firms hire St James's Throne Room for £30,000 a day
n a break with nearly 500 years of Royal protocol, St James’s Palace has thrown open the doors to some of its most lavish state apartments for private firms to rent during the London Games. The Queen has personally approved the plans to allow businesses to take their pick of the Palace’s Throne Room, its Tapestry Room and the Queen Anne Room for glamorous parties.
Guests at St James's will enjoy an exclusive tour of the Palace as part of the exclusive celebrations. They will also be close to several key Olympic events, including the Beach Volleyball in Horse Guards Parade, and the marathon, which will start and finish in the Mall. Nearby Hyde Park will be the venue for some swimming events.
One source said: ‘The Palace is exploiting its historical heritage and its prime location. Officials have already begun contacting firms and charities who they think might be interested in using the Palace. 'They are targeting organisations who have an existing link with the Royal Household and that includes those who have Royal Warrants.'
Now, under the hire plan, firms will be able to invite guests to events in the Tapestry Room, which boasts an original Tudor fireplace and a selection of tapestries woven for Charles II, and the Throne Room, which contains a single throne for the reigning Monarch. The third room on offer, the upholstered Queen Anne Room, is dominated by a portrait of George III. Companies can entertain up to 500 guests for lunch, dinner or a drinks reception. It is understood catering will be carried out by Palace staff rather than by private firms.
All the dates are now reportedly sold out after an overwhelming response from big businesses.
.