Buckingham Palace is the official residence and main administrative headquarters of the monarch. Queen Elizabeth II was often in residence during weekdays, spending her weekends at Windsor Castle. King Charles and Queen Camila, however, limit their use of the palace to audiences, meetings and state events. They instead choose to live nearby at Clarence House. Most of the time you will see the British flag flying over the palace but if you see the more elaborate Royal Standard flag then you’ll know the King is in the building.
Buckingham Palace evolved during several centuries. In the early 17th century a fairly modest house was built on the site for an aristocrat. It was inherited by the Earl of Mulgrave, who was later created the Duke of Buckingham. He had it enlarged and it took on the name Buckingham House. In the 18th century the building was acquired by King George III. His son, King George IV, had it enlarged again as a major palace, with grand state rooms. A large garden at the rear was landscaped with a five-acre lake, and the Royal Mews created to house the royal carriages and horses.
Queen Victoria, who came to the throne in 1837, was the first monarch to use it as the principal royal palace. She had an additional wing added, transforming the building into a quadrangle around an open courtyard. The frontage at that time was not to everyone’s taste and was said to be “the ugliest royal palace in Europe, housing the most powerful monarch in the world”. It was remodelled in the early 20th century, faced in white Portland Stone, as you see it today.
Buckingham Palace and gardens sit in 39 acres. The palace contains 775 rooms, including 19 state rooms and 52 royal and guest bedrooms. Many of the other rooms are used by up to a thousand staff who work in the palace, many of whom are provided with bedrooms. The state rooms are normally open to the public during the summer months.
The palace is guarded by Foot Soldiers from one of the five regiments of the British army’s Household Division. On most days of the year the Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place each morning in front of the palace during which one regiment hands over guard duty to another regiment. (Check for days and times).
