Where do the Royal Family live?
Buckingham Palace stands as a symbol of British royalty and is recognised worldwide as the official residence of the monarchy. With its iconic architecture, expansive grounds, and rich Royal history, it is one of the most visited sites in Europe.
Who Built Buckingham Palace?
It began life as a comfortable town house in 1703, the London residence of John Sheffield, Duke of Buckingham, and didn’t pass into Royal hands until 1761 when King George III purchased it for the modest sum of £21,000 and gave it to his wife, Queen Charlotte (who you may know from Bridgerton), renaming it the Queen’s House. After much repair and remodelling work, Queen Victoria chose it as the principal Royal residence when she ascended to the throne in 1837. Queen Victoria and her husband, Prince Albert, oversaw numerous renovations, including the construction of the famous East Front balcony, where the royal family appears during important occasions and celebrations.
Was Buckingham Palace bombed in WWII?
The Palace was not spared from the devastating bombing of London during the Second World War, suffering direct hits on several occasions. The King, George VI and his wife remained in residence throughout though and this defiance helped to galvanise the British people.
What is inside Buckingham Palace?
Today it remains the London residence of the monarchy, with 775 rooms, a private garden and its iconic balcony, as well as their administrative headquarters. It is essentially a private village, with its own stables, ATM, post office, clinic, art gallery, cinema and police station. For the past 150 years the palace has served as the focal point for the public’s interaction with the Crown, from the annual Christmas broadcasts, to the outpouring of grief after the deaths of Princess Diana and Queen Elizabeth II, to the daily Changing of the Guard Ceremony.
Can you visit Buckingham Palace?
Buckingham Palace is open to the public for 10 weeks a year, usually the end of July until the end of September. You can buy your tickets to tour the 19 State Rooms here, and be sure to take a stroll around the beautiful Buckingham Palace Gardens, the largest private gardens in London. Or why not visit it on our Royal Westminster Tour?