Visitors to Hampton Court Palace on Sunday (10 August) experienced a delayed opening after US Vice-President JD Vance toured the historic site with his family.

The former home of Henry VIII remained closed to the public throughout the morning, reopening at 12pm to allow Mr Vance, his wife Usha, and their three children to explore privately before travelling to the Cotswolds.

The motorcade outside the palace during Vice-President Vance's visit (credit: JamesHenryChard/X).

The Vice-President began his UK summer holiday with a fishing retreat at Chevening, the Kent residence of Foreign Secretary David Lammy.

Hampton Court Palace, famed for its role in the life of Henry VIII, was the setting for some of the most significant events of the Tudor period, including the King's break from the Catholic Church to marry Anne Boleyn.

According to The Telegraph, Mr Vance's private tour did not go unnoticed by the public, with some tourists reportedly heckling him to 'hurry up'.

Others later took to social media to express frustration at the delayed opening, which they said caused congestion at the gates when they finally opened.

Hampton Court Palace was approached for comment.