The residence of British monarchs. It was founded in 1703 and since then has been repeatedly renovated. It acquired its final appearance by 1853. For visitors is available only two months a year during the vacations of the Queen – in August and September. There are 19 rooms of the 775 rooms of the castle, including the throne room, art gallery and ballroom. Of interest is the royal garden, which has flamingos, a lake and waterfalls.
One of the few operating royal palaces in the world today is Buckingham Palace. It is the official residence of Her Majesty the Queen in London. The area of the palace with the garden is about 20 hectares, it has its own police station, two post offices, hospital, swimming pool, bar – in fact, it’s a whole city. In the palace itself there are 775 rooms, among them the official study of the Queen.
The palace staff consists of about 700 people.
Originally the palace was built for the Duke of Buckingham, in 1762 it was purchased by King George III, completed and at the accession to the throne of Queen Victoria in 1837 was declared the main residence of British monarchs. But the most spacious and richly decorated room – the ballroom – was not finished until 1853. After that the interiors of the palace changed many times, remaining invariably luxurious.
The changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace is one of the most recognizable ceremonies in the world, and it draws crowds of tourists as the Guards of the Court Guard demonstrate their impeccable skills and absolute equanimity.
What to see
Not all the inhabitants of this palace were happy, but their life and habits have always been of interest to tourists. During August and September, when the Queen leaves Buckingham Palace, it becomes accessible to visitors. And there’s a lot to see here! Gorgeous clocks and chandeliers, antique vases, elaborately crafted furniture, one of the world’s best collections of porcelain, magnificent collections of paintings owned by the British Queen – you can see it all during a tour of the palace. Of particular interest are the Royal Stables, which have been open all year round since 2011, but are still in operation. The Royal Stables perform the tasks of organizing all the journeys of the queen and members of the royal family. Royal modes of transport are on display, including a golden coronation carriage and a transparent brides’ carriage, not always, but you can catch royal horses in the stables. Admission is 9 GBP, under 5 years old free. On your first visit, you can ask for your ticket to be stamped, and then it will be valid for repeat visits for one year.
There is a store in the palace that specializes in selling items from the so-called “Royal Collection”. These items are identical to those used in everyday life at the palace: accessories, towels, kitchen utensils, and various trifles. It doesn’t come cheap, but it can make a wonderful souvenir from London.
Buckingham Palace
Changing of the Guard
The changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace is one of the most recognizable ceremonies in the world. It takes place daily at 11.30 from April to August, and every other day during the rest of the year. Many tourists flock to see the spectacle, as the members of the Guards of the Royal division demonstrate impeccable discipline and absolute equanimity, making it a sight to behold.
The schedule is posted on a large plaque outside the palace. Those wishing to take photographs of the ceremony without disturbance should take a seat outside the palace fence in advance.