Palace visits buck tourist downturn

Buckingham Palace has seen a vast increase in the number of visitors flocking to it this summer despite a five per cent drop in tourists to London.

Since its 29 July opening, 20,000 more have visited the palace's summer exhibition than at the same time last year - a rise of 10 per cent.

The proceeds will help to maintain the Queen's official art collection which is on show in museums and galleries around the world.

This year's display of a state banquet, with the silver gilt official grand service laid out on a huge horseshoe table in the palace ballroom, has been popular with visitors.

Officials have extended opening hours on some days to accommodate everyone wanting to see it.

Frances Dunkels, spokeswoman for the Royal Collection, which manages the exhibition and the Queen's art, said: "It's fantastic news. We've seen a rise in visitor numbers nudging 10 per cent on the same time last year.

"We're only halfway through the exhibition and the upsurge looks set to continue. We haven't been able to assess yet whether numbers have been boosted by foreigners or Britons staying here for their holidays.

"In any case, anecdotal evidence suggests people have been drawn in by the state banquet."

Last summer 360,000 visitors toured Buckingham Palace to see an exhibition celebrating the Queen and Prince Philip's diamond wedding anniversary.