Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the British royal family, owned by the British state. It has 775 rooms, 19 state rooms, and extensive grounds. It is a major tourist attraction and visitors can tour the 19 state rooms during the summer.
Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the British royal family. While royalty have historically used the palace for administrative duties and state events, some members of the monarchy continue to call Buckingham Palace home. Contrary to popular belief, it is owned by the British state and is not considered the property of the monarch. Buckingham Palace hosts many official events throughout the year and is also one of London’s top tourist attractions.
Prior to 1761, the structure that would one day be known as Buckingham Palace was a fairly simple private residence. King George III bought the building and grounds in 1761, planning to turn it into a family home. He lived in the house for years and 14 of his 15 children were born in the house. In 1820, his son George IV decided to transform the house into an official palace. Eventually he convinced parliament to fund a massive expansion and renovation that doubled the size of the facility.
In 1837, Queen Victoria was the first British monarch to take up residence in the new Buckingham Palace. She and her husband have overseen numerous renovations to accommodate their growing family. When her husband died in 1861, Victoria moved into Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace remained empty for many years. It was bombed seven times during World War II and suffered extensive damage. Further renovations followed to bring the structure back to its current state.
Buckingham Palace today has 775 rooms, as well as extensive grounds. The building houses 19 impressive state rooms used for official events. It also includes 52 bedrooms and 188 designated rooms for staff members. The palace has the largest private garden in London and its own lake. The royal stables house cars and carriages, while the shopping center serves as the official entrance for guests.
Located in Westminster, London, England, Buckingham Palace is one of England’s major tourist attractions. During the summer, visitors can purchase tickets that allow entry into the building’s 19 staterooms for guided tours. These rooms also display priceless paintings and furnishings from the royal collection. Those wishing to peek beyond these rooms will need to find a way to get on the guest list for an official palace event. Outside the palace, the daily Changing of the Guard ceremony attracts tourists and locals alike.
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