Buckingham Palace, London
Photo: Diliff, GNU Free Documentation License
Changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace, London
Photo: Adrian Pingstone, in the public domain
Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the British monarch. As well as being the setting for state occasions and royal entertaining, Buckinghim Palace is a major tourist attraction.
The palace, originally called Buckingham House, was built for the Duke of Buckingham in 1703. King George III bought it in 1762 from Sir Charles Sheffield, a descendent of Buckingham, for 21,000 pounds, for private retreat of the royal family. He called it "The Queen's House" after Queen Charlotte. At that time, St James's Palace was the official and ceremonial royal residence. Over the next 75 years, Buckingham Palace was expanded. Three wings were added to form a central courtyard.
Buckingham Palace only because the official royal palace when Queen Victoria ascended to the throne in 1837. The last major structural change to it was done in the late 19th and earth 20th century. Today Queen Elizabeth II and members of the royal family use the staterooms for official and state entertaining. More than 50,000 people visit the palace every year as guests to banquets, lunches, dinners, receptions and royal garden parties.
Behind Buckingham Palcace is the Buckingham Palace Garden. It is the largest private garden in London. It is where the Queen hosts her annual garden parties each summer. Since June 2002, she has invited the public into the Garden on numerous occasions too.
Next to Buckingham Palace is the Royal Mews. This is where the royal carriages are kept. They include the Gold State Coach designed by Sir William Chambers in 1760. It was first used by King George III in 1762 for the State Opening of Parliament, and has since been used only for coronations and jubilee celebrations.
The ceremonial road leading toward Buckingham Palace is called the Mall. It extends from Admiralty Arch to the Victoria Memorial in the palace forecourt.
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