About Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace is one of the most famous and iconic landmarks in London. It is the official residence and administrative headquarters of the monarch of the United Kingdom. It is also the venue for many royal events and ceremonies, such as state banquets, receptions, investitures, and garden parties. The palace has a rich history and fascinating architecture that attracts millions of visitors every year.
- Buckingham Palace was originally built as a townhouse for the Duke of Buckingham in 1703. It was later acquired by King George III in 1761 as a private residence for Queen Charlotte.
- The palace became known as The Queen’s House and underwent several expansions and renovations over the years. The most significant changes were made by architects John Nash and Edward Blore in the 19th century, who added three wings around a central courtyard.
- The palace became the official London residence of the British monarch in 1837 when Queen Victoria moved in. The palace was further enlarged and modernized in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including the addition of the East Front, which features the famous balcony where the royal family appears to greet crowds.
- Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms, including 19 State Rooms, 52 Royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices, and 78 bathrooms. The palace also has a chapel, a ballroom, a cinema, a swimming pool, and a medical center. The palace is decorated with many artworks and treasures from the Royal Collection, such as paintings, sculptures, furniture, porcelain, and clocks. Some of the most notable rooms in the palace are:
- The Throne Room: This room is used for ceremonial receptions and royal weddings. It has two thrones for The King and Queen, which are covered with crimson velvet and gold embroidery. The room also has portraits of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, as well as a large chandelier.
- The White Drawing Room: This room is one of the most elegant rooms in the palace. It is used for receiving guests before official events. It has white walls, gold furniture, crystal chandeliers, and a grand piano. The room also has a secret door that leads to The King’s private apartments.
- The Picture Gallery: This room displays some of the finest paintings from the Royal Collection, such as works by Rembrandt, Rubens, Van Dyck, and Canaletto. The room has a skylight that provides natural light for viewing the artwork.
- The Ballroom: This room is the largest room in the palace. It is used for state banquets, investitures, and concerts. It can accommodate up to 600 guests at a time. The room has a vaulted ceiling, red carpets, gilt chairs, and six large chandeliers.
- The Throne Room: This room is used for ceremonial receptions and royal weddings. It has two thrones for The King and Queen, which are covered with crimson velvet and gold embroidery. The room also has portraits of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, as well as a large chandelier.
The palace also has a large private garden that covers 40 acres of land. The garden has many features, such as a lake, a tennis court, a helicopter landing pad, and more than 350 types of wildflowers. The garden is also home to many animals, such as birds, bats, bees, and squirrels. The garden is usually closed to the public, except for special occasions such as the annual Garden Party hosted by The King.
Buckingham Palace Tickets and Activities
If you want to visit Buckingham Palace, you have several options for tickets and activities. You can choose from the following:
Summer Opening of Buckingham Palace:
This is a special opportunity to tour the State Rooms and see some of the artworks and treasures from the Royal Collection. The State Rooms are the public rooms where the monarch receives guests and performs official duties. You can see 19 State Rooms, including the Throne Room, the White Drawing Room, the Picture Gallery, and the Ballroom. You can also see a special exhibition on royal style and fashion.
The Summer Opening of Buckingham Palace is open from July to September 2023, when the Royal Family is away on vacation. You can buy tickets online or at the ticket office on-site.
Royal Mews:
This is where you can see the historic royal carriages and horses that are used for ceremonial occasions. The Royal Mews is one of the finest working stables in existence.
You can see the Gold State Coach, which was used for coronations since 1821, the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, which was used for The King’s Diamond Jubilee in 2022, and the Glass Coach, which was used for royal weddings. You can also see some of the horses that pull the carriages, such as Windsor Greys and Cleveland Bays. The Royal Mews is open from Thursday to Monday throughout the year.
The Queen’s Gallery:
This is where you can see some of the finest paintings and artworks from the Royal Collection. The Queen’s Gallery showcases changing exhibitions that reflect different aspects of the monarchy and its history. You can see works by famous artists such as Rembrandt, Rubens, Van Dyck, Canaletto, and more. The Queen’s Gallery is open from Thursday to Monday throughout the year.
Changing of the Guard:
This is a free ceremony that takes place outside the palace gates every day at 11:00 am. The ceremony involves a regiment of soldiers in red uniforms and bearskin hats marching to music and exchanging duties with another regiment. The ceremony lasts for about 45 minutes and attracts large crowds of spectators. You can watch the ceremony from various spots around the palace, such as The Mall, Constitution Hill, or Victoria Memorial.
What is The Queen’s Gallery?
The Queen’s Gallery is where you can see some of the finest paintings and artworks from the Royal Collection. The Queen’s Gallery showcases changing exhibitions that reflect different aspects of the monarchy and its history. You can see works by famous artists such as Rembrandt, Rubens, Van Dyck, Canaletto, and more.
What is the Royal Mews?
The Royal Mews is where you can see the historic royal carriages and horses that are used for ceremonial occasions. The Royal Mews is one of the finest working stables in existence. You can see the Gold State Coach, which was used for coronations since 1821, the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, which was used for The King’s Diamond Jubilee in 2022, and the Glass Coach, which was used for royal weddings. You can also see some of the horses that pull the carriages, such as Windsor Greys and Cleveland Bays.
What is the Changing of the Guard ceremony?
The Changing of the Guard is a free ceremony that takes place outside the palace gates every day at 11:00 am. The ceremony involves a regiment of soldiers in red uniforms and bearskin hats marching to music and exchanging duties with another regiment. The ceremony lasts for about 45 minutes and attracts large crowds of spectators. You can watch the ceremony from various spots around the palace, such as The Mall, Constitution Hill, or Victoria Memorial.
These are some of the tickets and activities that you can enjoy at Buckingham Palace. You can also combine your visit with other nearby attractions, such as Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, London Eye, or Hyde Park.
Buckingham Palace is more than just a building; it is a symbol of the British monarchy and its history. It is also a place where tradition meets modernity and where royalty meets people. Buckingham Palace is a must-see attraction for anyone who visits London.
