Editing Palace of Westminster (section)

==== Norman Porch ====
The Sovereign's Entrance is beneath the Victoria Tower. It was designed for the use of the monarch, and is used by them during the [[State Opening of Parliament]].<ref name="Lords Route tour">{{cite web |url=http://www.parliament.uk/visiting/online-tours/virtualtours/lords-route/ |title=Lords Route virtual tour |publisher=UK Parliament |access-date=5 August 2010 |archive-date=16 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100816131858/http://www.parliament.uk/visiting/online-tours/virtualtours/lords-route/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Sovereign's Entrance is also the formal entrance used by visiting dignitaries,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/uk_parliament/3406081239/ |title=President of France arrives at Parliament |author=UK Parliament |date=2 April 2009 |work=[[Flickr]] |access-date=29 January 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/uk_parliament/3406096131/ |title=President of Mexico and the Mexican First Lady arrive at Parliament |author=UK Parliament |date=2 April 2009 |work=[[Flickr]] |access-date=29 January 2010}}</ref> as well as the starting point of public tours of the palace.<ref>[[#Wilson|Wilson (2005)]], inside of front cover.</ref>

From the entrance, a staircase leads up to the principal floor in a broad, unbroken flight of 26 steps made of grey granite.<ref>[[#Fell|Fell and Mackenzie (1994)]], p. 30; [[#Wilson|Wilson (2005)]], p. 8.</ref> At the top is the Norman Porch, a square landing with a central [[clustered column]] and a ceiling of four [[groin vault]]s with [[Lierne (vault)|lierne ribs]] and [[Boss (architecture)|carved bosses]]. The porch was named for its proposed decorative scheme, which was never completed but would have consisted of statues of the Norman kings and frescoes depicting [[Norman England|Norman history]].<ref>[[#Guide|''Guide to the Palace of Westminster'']], p. 25.</ref> As completed, the porch contains stained glass windows depicting [[Edward the Confessor]] and a young Queen Victoria,<ref>[[#Fell|Fell and Mackenzie (1994)]], p. 31.</ref> a copy of a 1900 painting of Victoria by [[Jean-Joseph Benjamin-Constant]],<ref>[[#Riding|Riding and Riding (2000)]], p. 190.</ref> and busts of prime ministers who have sat in the House of Lords on the plinths intended for the statues. A double door opposite the stairs leads to the Royal Gallery, and another to the right opens to the Robing Room.<ref name="Lords Route tour" />