Buckingham Palace


Buckingham Palace has been the official residence of seven generations of British monarchs from 1837 to the present reigning House of Windsor and is today The Queen's official residence .
When the Queen is in residence the Royal Standard can be seen flying above the palace.
It has become the symbol of the Royal Family. But this Palace is more than a home for the Royals.
It is the official administrative headquarters of the monarchy and contains the offices of their staff.
It is the place where all Royal ceremonies and official banquets are held.
The palace contains 19 state rooms, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices, and 78 bathrooms.
Although in use for the many official events and receptions held by The Queen, 19 rooms of the Palace are opened to visitors during the Annual Summer Opening in August and September to help raise funds to repair fire-damaged Windsor Castle.

Grand staircase


1870	today


The original Buckingham House stood on the site of what was formerly a mulberry tree garden established by James I, in an ill-advised and failed attempt to cultivate silk worms.
George III bought Buckingham House in 1761 for his wife Queen Charlotte to use as a comfortable family home .
The house at that time had a rural aspect.
It had previously been owned by the Dukes of Buckingham and had been built in 1702.
George IV transformed the house into the palace we see today.
King William IV detested the palace and was never to live there.
Queen Victoria, who came to the throne in 1837, was the first British monarch to occupy Buckingham Palace.
Edward VII, introduced electric lighting and other modernisations. During the Second World War, Buckingham Palace was hit by German bombers 9 times.

The blue drawing room

The Blue Drawing Room is one of the finest rooms in the Palace.
The blue flock paper now in the room was hung by Queen Mary in the early twentieth century, while the Corinthian columns were re-painted to resemble onyx in the reign of Queen Victoria.

Today guests gather there for drinks before large luncheon parties and grand State and diplomatic occasions.

Green Drawing Room
Green Drawing Room, is entered through mirrored doors .

It was redecorated in the 1830's, in the reign of William IV.

The porcelain on display in the room, was purchased by George IV, an avid royal collector, after the French Revolution.

It forms the ante-room to the Throne Room.


The White Drawing Room
The White Drawing Room contains magnificent French furniture acquired by George IV.

This room is usually the first room on her route, when The Queen meets her guests during Receptions in the State Rooms.

The Throne Room
The Throne Room was used by Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh at the Queen's coronation in 1953.

The Palace Music Room

The Palace Music Room was used for the baptisms of Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Andrew, Duke of York and most recently, Prince William.

They all in turn wearing the honiton lace robe that had been made for Queen Victoria's eldest daughter and worn by William's great-great-great grandfather, the future Edward VII.
Here also Princes Diana practised her dance steps on first becoming a resident at the Palace.

Changing of the Gard


Changing the Guard is one of the oldest and most familiar ceremonies associated with Buckingham Palace. Since 1660, Household Troops have guarded the Sovereign and the Royal Palaces.

In 1689, the court moved to St James's Palace, which was guarded by the Foot Guards.
When Queen Victoria moved into Buckingham Palace in 1837, the Queen's Guard remained at St James's Palace, with a detachment guarding Buckingham Palace, as it still does today.
The Changing of the Guard takes place inside the railings of the forecourt to Buckingham Palace.
During the 45 minute ceremony the New Guard replaces the Old Guard and a detachment is left at Buckingham Palace with the remaining New Guard marching on to St James Palace. The Changing of the Guard is performed daily in spring and summer, and every other day in autumn and winter. When The Queen is in residence, there are four sentries at the front of the building and when she is away there are two.
Guards are present 24 hours a day. Changing of the Guard also takes place in Windsor Castle nearly every day.