Buckingham Palace is the official London residence and administrative headquarters of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace has 775 rooms, including 19 State Rooms, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices, and 78 bathrooms. It has served as the principal royal residence since Queen Victoria moved in upon her accession in 1837, and its east-facing facade with the famous balcony is one of the most recognizable buildings in the world.
History
The site of Buckingham Palace was originally known as the Mulberry Garden, a public recreation ground planted with mulberry trees by James I in a failed attempt to establish a silk industry in England. In 1703, the Duke of Buckingham built a large townhouse on the site, which was purchased by King George III in 1761 as a private residence for Queen Charlotte (it was known as "The Queen's House"). The building was substantially enlarged and remodeled between 1825 and 1837 by the architect John Nash for King George IV, who died before the work was finished.
Queen Victoria was the first monarch to use the palace as the official royal residence, moving in shortly after her accession in 1837. She found the palace inadequate in many respects — the chimneys smoked, the windows wouldn't open, and the drains were foul — but the building's central location and ample space made it the logical choice for a growing court. The famous east wing, enclosing the courtyard and creating the facade we see today, was added in 1847 to provide more room for Victoria's growing family.
The palace has been the backdrop for countless historic moments: the celebrations marking the end of both World Wars, when vast crowds gathered before the balcony; the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana in 1981 and Prince William and Catherine Middleton in 2011, with their balcony kisses seen by billions worldwide; and the lying in state of monarchs and state funerals. During the Blitz of 1940–1941, the palace was bombed nine times. Queen Elizabeth (later the Queen Mother) famously said, "I am glad we have been bombed. It makes me feel I can look the East End in the face."
Architecture
- Total Rooms: 775
- State Rooms: 19 (open to visitors in summer)
- Floor Area: 77,000 m² (828,820 sq ft)
- Facade: Portland stone (refaced 1913)
- Garden: 16 hectares (39 acres), the largest private garden in London
The State Rooms are the public and ceremonial heart of the palace. The Throne Room, the White Drawing Room, the Blue Drawing Room, and the Music Room are used for state banquets, investitures, and official receptions. The Ballroom, added by Queen Victoria in 1856, is the largest room in the palace at 36 meters long, 18 meters wide, and 13.5 meters high, and is where state banquets for up to 170 guests are held.
The Picture Gallery, 47 meters long, houses works from the Royal Collection, one of the finest private art collections in the world, including paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Vermeer, and Canaletto. The Grand Staircase, with its gilt-bronze balustrade and portraits of the Hanoverian monarchs, sets the tone for the State Rooms. The Marble Hall and the Cross Gallery feature some of the finest examples of Nash's interior architecture.
The palace gardens cover 16 hectares and include a lake, a tennis court, and a helicopter landing pad. The garden hosts the monarch's annual garden parties, where approximately 8,000 guests are invited to each of the three summer events. The gardens contain over 350 species of wildflowers and are home to 30 species of breeding birds.
Visiting
- Location: Westminster, London, England
- State Rooms Open: Late July to September (when the monarch is at Balmoral)
- Changing of the Guard: 11:00 AM; daily in summer, every other day in winter
- Nearest Tube: Victoria, Green Park, or Hyde Park Corner
- Best Time: Book State Rooms tickets well in advance
The State Rooms are open to visitors for approximately ten weeks each summer (typically late July through September) when the monarch is in residence at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. The visit follows a set route through nineteen of the most magnificent rooms, with an audio guide included. The route exits through the garden, where visitors can view the west facade of the palace, a perspective unavailable from the public streets. Tickets should be booked well in advance, as slots sell out quickly.
The Changing of the Guard ceremony is one of London's most popular free attractions. The ceremony takes place in the forecourt of the palace and involves the handover of responsibility from the Old Guard to the New Guard, accompanied by a military band. The full ceremony lasts approximately 45 minutes. Arriving early (by 10:30 AM) is essential for a good viewing position along the palace railings. The Queen's Gallery, adjacent to the palace, hosts rotating exhibitions from the Royal Collection and is open year-round.
Key Facts
- Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms, including 19 State Rooms open to the public in summer
- The palace has been the official royal residence since Queen Victoria moved in in 1837
- The Changing of the Guard has taken place regularly since 1660
- The palace was bombed nine times during World War II
- The Royal Standard flag flies when the monarch is in residence; the Union Jack flies when they are away
Fun Facts
- The palace has its own post office, police station, cinema, swimming pool, and medical clinic
- There are approximately 40,000 light bulbs in the palace, and 760 windows that are cleaned every six weeks
- The garden lake is home to flamingos, a tradition dating back to the 1960s
- A man named Michael Fagan broke into the palace in 1982 and made it all the way to Queen Elizabeth II's bedroom before being apprehended — one of the most famous security breaches in history
Final Thoughts
Buckingham Palace is both a working headquarters and a national symbol — a building where constitutional duties are carried out daily behind the same facade that provides the backdrop for national celebrations and mourning. Its State Rooms represent some of the finest examples of Georgian and Victorian interior design in Britain, and the Changing of the Guard ceremony, performed with clockwork precision, embodies the pageantry that has defined the British monarchy for centuries.
