did a general web search on ddg, "vatican boarded up" "buckingham palace boarded up" and I'm just as confused as you, I am surprised this is the first I'm hearing about it. Some articles are saying buckingham specifically was doing renovations but removing the seal from the gates is weird, but they removed a majority of the palace guards as well, which would make no sense even if the queen wasn't inside.

did a general web search on ddg, "vatican boarded up" "buckingham palace boarded up" and I'm just as confused as you, I am surprised this is the first I'm hearing about it. Some articles are saying buckingham specifically was doing renovations but removing the seal from the gates is weird, but they removed a majority of the palace guards, which would make no sense even if the queen wasn't inside.