Buckingham Palace, London

Much of the building was constructed as early as 1703 for the Duke of Buckingham. Buckingham House, as it was then known, was purchased in 1762 by George III, who used it as a royal residence. Over the following 75 years the house was expanded to form three wings around a central courtyard. When Queen Victoria discovered the lack of several necessary rooms (such as a formal ballroom, a nursery, visitor's bedrooms and others) major additions were undertaken, including adding an entire wing to form a quadrangle. Queen Victoria, who made it her official residence in 1837. 

The Marble Arch was moved to Hyde Park, where it still resides near Speaker's Corner. 

With the refacing using Portland stone in 1913, the palace received its last major change. Notably, the palace’s façade was refaced with Portland stone, a change that defines its modern appearance today.

Buckingham Palace remains the London home of the British monarch and a center for national and royal celebrations. It is also a site for state visits, official events, and royal ceremonies, hosting over 50,000 guests annually, including dignitaries and the general public.

Nevertheless, several parts of the palace are open to the public. The palace opens its State Rooms to the public during the summer months, typically from July to September, offering a glimpse into the opulence of royal life. Visitors can view exquisite art collections, furnishings, and the famous Throne Room. Throughout the year, the Queen’s Gallery displays an impressive rotation of art from the Royal Collection, while the Royal Mews showcases the ceremonial carriages and cars used for state occasions. You can see original paintings by Rubens, Vermeer, Canaletto and other great artists or the Golden State Coach used for coronations and other state functions.

The palace’s 40-acre garden is the largest private garden in London, featuring a lake, a helicopter landing area, and more than 350 types of wildflowers. The garden presents a peaceful walk full of well-tended flowers and shrubs and a superb view of the lake. 

The "Changing of the Guard," a world-renowned event, takes place regularly outside the palace and continues to attract thousands of tourists with its precise military drills and vibrant uniforms. It is more formally known: the Guard Mounting. Household Troops have guarded the Sovereign since 1660, but today the task is carried out at Buckingham by soldiers drawn mostly from the regiments of the Foot Guards. A Guards' band plays a traditional military march as one set of guards replaces the other. When the King is in residence, four sentries stand at the front of the building. While he's away, the contingent is reduced to two. In their traditional red tunic and bearskins, with the distinctive helmet, the guards are highly trained to avoid interacting with the many visitors who try to distract them.  Occasionally, other Commonwealth units participate in guard duty, as do the Scots Guards and the Brigade of Gurkhas. 

In recent years, the palace has undergone extensive renovations, aimed at preserving its historical elements while enhancing safety and accessibility for visitors. As part of a ten-year project, improvements have been made to its electrical wiring, plumbing, and heating systems to meet modern standards.

With King Charles III now on the throne, Buckingham Palace continues to evolve, embracing a more sustainable and accessible future while preserving its historical significance. Plans are underway to increase public engagement, making this iconic landmark more open and inclusive to visitors worldwide.

Getting there

Buckingham Palace is easily accessible via London’s public transportation, with nearby stations including Green Park, Victoria, and St. James's Park. It remains a must-visit destination, reflecting both the grandeur of Britain’s royal past and its vibrant present.