Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is still the official residence of Britain's monarchy, as it has been since Queen Victoria's designation in 1837.

Much of the Buckingham Palace was constructed as early as 1703 for the Duke of Buckingham. Buckingham House (as it was then known) was purchased in 1762 by George III, who used it as a private residence. Over the following 75 years the house was expanded to form three wings around a central courtyard.

When Queen Victoria discovered Buckingham Palace lacked several 'necessary' rooms - such as a formal ballroom, a nursery, visitor's bedrooms and others - major additions were undertaken, including adding an entire wing to form a quadrangle.

The Marble Arch was moved to Hyde Park where it still resides near Speaker's Corner. With the refacing using Portland stone in 1913, the palace received its last major change.

Buckingham Palace is still actively used as both residence and offices, over 50,000 guests and invited diplomats visit per year who interact with over 400 individuals for whom this is 'the office'. Nevertheless, several parts of Buckingham Palace are open to the public.

During August and September, the Buckingham Palace West Wing admits visitors who can view the State Rooms. At other times of the year, various parts are open, where tourists can view spectacular jewels, dressing gowns, furniture and the magnificent Buckingham Palace building itself.

The Queen's Gallery near the Royal Mews (stables and, later, a garage) is open year-round and has an ever changing display of objects owned by 'the British nation'. Here you can see original paintings by Rubens, Vermeer, Canaletto and other great artists.

The Royal Mews are also open to the public, where you can see 30 horses and the golden State Coach. The four-ton coach, pulled by eight horses, is used for coronations and other state functions.

Outside Buckingham Palace, the 40-acre garden presents a peaceful walk full of well-tended flowers and shrubs and a superb view of the lake.

Of course, the major attraction outside is the Buckingham Palace 'Changing of the Guard', or as it's more formally known: the Guard Mounting. Household Troops have guarded the Sovereign since 1660, but today the task is carried out at Buckingham Palace by soldiers drawn mostly from the regiments of the Foot Guards.

A Guards' band plays a traditional military march as one set of guards replaces the other. When the Queen is in residence at Buckingham Palace, four sentries stand at the front of the building. While she's away, the contingent is reduced to two.

Further details on the monarch can be found on the Buckingham Palace official website.

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