Buckingham Palace
London
Location and background information
Buckingham palace is mostly popular because its the Queens official home and main royal london home. It has been the official London residence of Britain's monarchy since 1837. Its not only the home of the Queen but of Prince Philip, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, his wife and their daughter. Buckingham Palace is also used as a office for the administrative work for monarchy.
The original building was constructed as a country house in 1705. King George III bought the house in 1761 for his wife and had it altered by William Chamber. The house was later on called Buckingham house. In 1826 King George IV asked famed architect John Nash to expand the house into a palace. Mean while James Palace was still the principal palace used by the royals for ceremonies and receptions.
FEATURES
The changing of the guard takes place daily at 11 o'clock in front of Buckingham Palace.
A colorfully dressed detachment, known as the New Guard, parades along the Mall towards Buckingham Palace and during a ceremony replaces the existing, Old Guard. The ceremony, which is accompanied by music played by a military band, always attracts lots of onlookers.
The palace has about 600 rooms, including a throne room, a ballroom, picture gallery and even a swimming pool. The Throne Room, Green Drawing Room, Silk Tapestry Rooms, Picture Gallery, State Dining Room, Blue Drawing Room, Music Room and White Drawing Room can be visited during a couple of months in the summer.