The banqueting house is the only complete surviving building of whitehall palace the site of king charles i execution in 1649 the banqueting house was originally built for state occasions plays and masques during your visit you will be able to see rubenrsquos ceiling a magnificent piece of art and the only surviving in situ ceiling painting by sir peter paul rubens you will also be able to visit the vaulted undercroft of the banqueting house originally designed as a drinking den