First opened to the public in the reign of Elizabeth II in 1962, it exhibits works of art from the Royal Collection on a rotating basis.

Enlarged in the early 21st century, the gallery has its own separate public access entrance built in a "new" classical style and typically displays about 450 works, mainly paintings and drawings.

The purpose-built gallery opened in 1962; in the next 37 years it received five million visitors,[citation needed] until its closure in 1999 for refurbishment and expansion.

On 21 May 2002, the gallery was reopened by Elizabeth II to coincide with her Golden Jubilee.

[2] The new work included a Doric entrance portico and new rooms, more than tripling the space available.