Queen opens state rooms to public

LONDON, July 25 (UPI) -- The public is to get a rare look at the state rooms in Buckingham Palace, principal home of Queen Elizabeth II of Britain. The state rooms will be open for two months starting Tuesday, the BBC reported. Among the rooms on view is the one where all four of the queen's children were baptized. That room has a floor bought by King George IV at a cost of 2,000 pounds ($3,976) -- a fabulous sum in the early 19th century. The state dining room will also be on display, set up for a banquet. The dinner service was another purchase by the free-spending George IV, while he was still Prince Regent. The queen inspected the rooms Thursday and gave the exhibit, which includes mannequins dressed as footmen and yeomen, the royal seal of approval, The Sun reports. "This gives everyone a chance to see what it might be... [read full story]