Information for film crews seeking access to Royal engagements, events or residences

Buckingham Palace Press Office deals with all filming requests relating to programmes on the Royal Family and the Royal Household, including certain filming facilities within the occupied Royal Palaces (Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the State Rooms at St James’s Palace) and Royal ceremonies both inside and outside the occupied Royal Palaces.

These requests can range from a landmark documentary series to a feature on the Changing of the Guard for a travel programme.

The Press Office also works closely regarding filming requests with colleagues in the Clarence House Press Office (who deal with media requests relating to The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William and Prince Harry), and the Royal Collection (who handle filming requests relating exclusively to the Royal Collection, The Queen’s Galleries and to the public opening of Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse).

Visit the Royal Collection web site for details of their Press Office contacts. (opens in a new window)

Filming at Sandringham and Balmoral is administered by those estates but, because they are private, filming permission is rarely given.

Buckingham Palace Press Office receives a large number of requests from production companies and broadcasters.

All requests are dealt with on a case-by-case basis, but it is recommended that producers contact the Buckingham Palace Press Office at the earliest possible stage in the commissioning process to discuss requirements.

Requests should be submitted to the Press Office at Buckingham Palace:
Assistant Press Secretary (SN)
Press Office
Buckingham Palace
London SW1A 1AA
Tel: 020 7930 4832
Fax: 020 7024 4390

When making a request to film, please consider the following:
Applications should be submitted to the Press Office on the production company’s/broadcaster’s headed paper.

Requests must be received at least one month before the preferred date of filming, to allow scheduling around the diary commitments of the working palaces and all crew members to be security cleared.

Applications to film should contain full details/synopsis of the programme and of how the proposed filming will fit into the programme and, if known, the exact locations (interiors and exteriors), and preferred dates for filming.

Companies applying to film must hold valid public liability insurance.

Successful productions may be asked for a facility fees and will be required to sign a contractual agreement.

All requests are subject to approval.

Location filming for commercial, reconstruction and other purposes is not permitted.
 
Those wishing to film outside Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace should contact The Royal Parks Agency. 

Requests to film at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, should be made to the Chapter Clerk:
Chapter Clerk
St. George’s Chapel
2 The Cloisters
Windsor Castle
Berkshire SL4 1NJ.

Those requiring information about filming at the Kensington Palace State Apartments, the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, the Banqueting House and Queen’s Charlotte’s Cottage, Kew Gardens, should contact the Press Office of Historic Royal Palaces.