EACH SUMMER THERE'S the opportunity to step inside Buckingham Palace, the London residence of Her Majesty the Queen, during the Summer Opening. A special exhibition is staged each year to give visitors an insight into the world of the royal family and this year's recreates the spectacle and variety of the royal calendar, from the Royal Maundy Service and the Trooping the Colour ceremony to the State Opening of Parliament and Her Majesty’s Christmas broadcast.

The Queen’s Year brings together examples of Her Majesty’s ceremonial dress with day and evening wear to reflect the full range of events in the royal diary. Ancient symbols of authority and historic ceremonial objects are shown alongside gifts presented to Her Majesty on visits around the United Kingdom. The centrepiece of the exhibition is The Queen’s magnificent Robe of State, on public display for the first time, and the uniforms of officials and attendants at the State Opening of Parliament.

As Head of State, Head of the Commonwealth, Supreme Governor of the Church of England, Head of the British Armed Forces, and Patron of around 600 charities, she undertakes hundreds of duties. To give some idea of just how busy The Queen's diary is: in 2009, there were over 250 engagements, including 145 Audiences, 24 presentations of credentials, 12 Investitures, 11 regional visits, eight meetings of the Privy Council, six large-scale receptions, four garden parties, two inward State Visits, one outward State Visit, and numerous luncheons and dinners for special groups and individuals. Look out for the Great Sword of State, the Mace and the Cap of Maintenance that precede The Queen through the Palace of Westminster during the State Opening of Parliament and ten of The Queen’s Ascot hats from the past five decades, including one worn this year. There'll also be an evening gown worn by The Queen to the 1962 Royal Film Performance of A West Side Story, displayed alongside the ‘Vladimir’ tiara, shown for the first time with its beautiful pearl drops. But perhaps most fascinating are the gifts presented to The Queen on regional visits, including a Buckingham Palace Underground sign and Wallace and Gromit statue.

Further information on the Summer Opening of the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace and the exhibition (27 July to 1 October 2010); go to www.royalcollection.org.uk.