Clarence House summer opening 2003

THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IS ISSUED BY THE PRESS SECRETARY TO THE QUEEN

Clarence House, which will be The Prince of Wales's official London residence, will open to the public from 6th August to 17th October 2003.

Clarence House was the London home of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother from 1953 until 2002. It was also the home of The Prince of Wales between the ages of one and three, when Her Majesty The Queen, then Princess Elizabeth, and The Duke of Edinburgh moved there following their marriage in 1947.

The house, which is an important part of the nation's heritage, has recently undergone extensive refurbishment and redecoration. The summer opening provides an opportunity for visitors to have a guided tour of the five rooms on the ground floor where official engagements will be undertaken and important guests, from this country and overseas, will be received.

The arrangement of the rooms and the grouping of their contents remain recognisably as they were in Queen Elizabeth's time, with much of Her Majesty's collection of works of art and furniture in their former positions.

Queen Elizabeth brought together a collection strong in twentieth-century British art, embracing important works by John Piper, Graham Sutherland, WS Sickert and Augustus John. She also acquired superb examples of Fabergé, English porcelain and silver, particularly pieces relating to the Bowes-Lyon family.

All tickets for the guided tours are timed and must be pre-booked by telephoning the dedicated booking line 020 7766 7303. The admission prices are: Adult: £5.00, Under 17: £3.00, Under 5: Free. Tickets can also be booked on-line.

Clarence House, which stands beside St James's Palace, was built between 1825 and 1827 to the designs of John Nash for Prince William Henry, Duke of Clarence, who resided there as King William IV from 1830 until 1837.

During its history, the house has been altered, reflecting the changes in

occupancy over nearly two centuries.

The Prince of Wales is moving from York House in St James's Palace to Clarence House, which will also be the official London residence for The Princes William and Harry.