For a trip in late June: any ideas as to how someone can get tickets for

1) Ceremony of the Keys and/or
2) Tour of Buckingham Palace?

Does anyone for example know of a tour they can recommend, that takes visitors to either of these things? Or of any other tactic that might help my friend plan a visit with her grandson?

The planned visit includes 4 days in July -- I don't think Buckingham Palace is open in June. But will welcome suggestions for visiting in July.

The Ceremony of the Keys is just about impossible -- ever since they went 'modern' and allowed ticket requests by e-mail, the tours are essentially 100% full at al times.

Buckingham Palace in not open to the public in June. It does not open until July 25 so unless they are staying the whole month, it won't be possible.

rick steves has a section on Ceremony of the Keys. Go to Barnes and Nobel and look at his books on London in case no one can help you here. we did it many years ago and enjoyed it. He might have something on tours at Buckingham as well.

Rick S doesn't have any 'inside info' re the Ceremony of the Keys. The process is NOTHING like it was years ago (I've been maybe 7 or 8 times over the years). They only release tickets every 6 months and they book up almost immediately.

And even RS can'y get you inside the Palace when it isn't open to the public, which it isn't when the OP's friend is in London.