The second programme in the series about the working lives of The Royal Family takes a look behind the doors of the Monarchy’s headquarters, Buckingham Palace.

With 650 rooms and nearly 40 acres of garden, London’s most famous address is also the Head of State’s official offices, a museum, a residence and a focal point for national celebrations and important State occasions.

Every summer, thousands gather here to watch the pageantry of The Queen’s Birthday Parade and the traditional Royal gathering on the Palace balcony. Viewers are shown the other side of that balcony as the extended Windsor family get together for a convivial celebration of The Queen’s official birthday in the Centre Room.

The Palace is where The Queen does most of her entertaining. When Britain wants to welcome a head of State, The Queen is the host. This time, the Palace is preparing for Ghana’s President Kufuor and his wife to stay in the elegant Belgian Suite and the attention to every detail is shown, from the choice of Royal gifts to the wines from the Palace cellar.

The high point of the visit is the toasts and speeches at the State banquet, leaving the State visitors deeply impressed.

So, too, are the 2,500 people who come to the Palace each year to receive an honour. Preparations are taking place in the Central Chancery vaults where every decoration from the MBE to the various orders of knighthood is stored. For every investiture, the Palace Ballroom is turned into a magnificent backdrop for these important ceremonies recognising excellence, heroic deeds and exceptional service.

Even public figures such as Steven Gerrard and Penelope Keith, no strangers to the limelight, are nervous as they line up for their own moment with the Monarch.

Come the summer, the Palace opens its doors to the public and a special exhibition is laid on in the State apartments. But before anyone is admitted, The Queen gives it a close inspection herself.

Away from these occasions, the series highlights the hard work that goes on all year round. The Queen is shown meeting her Private Secretary to go through the agenda for the week ahead; and a trio of Ladies-in-Waiting are at work in a quiet corner of the Palace, going through the Royal postbag and ensuring that every letter receives an answer.

Monday 3 December
9.00-10.00pm BBC ONE