Admiralty guards did not sell entry at the door

Did visitors have to tip Admiralty guards to get inside?

No. An invitation controlled access; a guard might accept a voluntary tip, but payment could not admit someone who lacked permission.

The persistent story that Admiralty guards required tips differs from the actual entry procedure. Visitors needed an invitation or a contact inside who could authorize them. Guards might not refuse money offered by someone who believed tipping was customary, which helped the story survive. Payment was not a substitute for permission and would not admit an uninvited visitor.