Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the British monarch located in the City of Westminster, London. The palace has a rich and fascinating history that dates back to the early 18th century.
History of Buckingham Palace
The site where Buckingham Palace now stands was originally owned by the Duke of Buckingham in the early 18th century. In 1703, the duke commissioned architect William Winde to build a large townhouse on the site.
The house, known as Buckingham House, was completed in 1705 and remained the property of the Dukes of Buckingham until 1761 when it was sold to King George III.
In 1762, King George III commissioned architect, Sir William Chambers, to redesign and enlarge the house. The project was not completed until 1774, and the resulting palace was known as “The Queen’s House.” It served as a residence for Queen Charlotte, the wife of King George III.
In 1826, King George IV commissioned architect John Nash to redesign and expand the palace. Nash’s work included the construction of the iconic central balcony on the front of the palace, which is now used for public appearances by the royal family.
However, the project proved to be too expensive and Nash was eventually dismissed, leaving the palace unfinished.
In 1837, Queen Victoria became the first monarch to take up residence in Buckingham Palace. She immediately began a program of renovation and expansion, which included the addition of the famous east wing, the ballroom, and the grand staircase.
Renovations of Buckingham Palace
The palace has since undergone numerous renovations and expansions, including the addition of the south wing in 1913, which houses the famous balcony where the royal family appears during special events.
Today, Buckingham Palace is the administrative headquarters of the monarch and serves as the venue for many royal ceremonies and state occasions. The palace is also open to the public during the summer months, allowing visitors to tour the State Rooms and view the royal art collection.
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Why You Should Visit the Buckingham Palace
Historical Site: Buckingham House was the name given to the royal mansion when it was first constructed in 1703 for the Duke of Buckingham in the form of a huge townhouse.
Political Landmark: Because of its historical significance in connection with the British monarchy, Buckingham Palace is an essential component of England’s cultural and political landscape.
Neoclassical Architecture: The palace, which was designed by architects such as John Nash, possesses a dramatic and neoclassical architecture as a direct result of the architect’s involvement with the theatre.
Majestic Rooms: The palace has a total of 775 rooms, each of which has been exquisitely decorated with works of royal art. The palace’s garden is the largest and private garden having most extensive in all of London.
Tickets to the Buckingham Palace
Entrance Tickets for Buckingham Palace
- You will have the opportunity to explore The Queen’s house in London while also having access to stroll around the palace, so you can indulge your senses in a wide variety of regal activities.
- With these tickets, you may visit the British royal palace and marvel at the ornate architecture of rooms like the grand Ballroom, the elegant Drawing Rooms, and the Throne Room, which will transport you to the time of the English monarchy.
- When you purchase tickets to enter Buckingham Palace, you will have the opportunity to stroll through the Queen’s personal gardens, tour the magnificent State Rooms, and explore The Royal Mews, which is widely regarded as one of the most impressive functioning stables in the world.
- While wandering about Buckingham Palace admiring royalty in all its glory, listen to the informative audiovisual guide that comes free with every admission ticket.
Royal Tour Tickets for Buckingham Palace
- Learn about the history of the British royal family as you wander around the State Rooms, which are decorated in a dramatic way. Buckingham Palace is where you’ll find the State Rooms.
- Go through the royal areas of London while listening to entertaining commentary provided by knowledgeable tour guides, who will also show you some of the city’s most famous attractions along the route.
- You will get the opportunity to observe the world-famous Changing of the Guard ceremony if you purchase tickets for the Buckingham Palace tour. In addition, you will gain an understanding of the significance of such events and other topics during your trip.
- You will have guaranteed entrance into Buckingham Palace at the time slot that you have booked, and you will be able to skip the lines without any fuss.
- If you purchase tickets for the Buckingham Palace Royal Tour, you will be able to go on a tour of Buckingham Palace, the official residence of the British royal family, and see quarters, rooms, and gardens that belong to Her Majesty the Queen.
Online Tickets for Buckingham Palace
Convenience: Enjoy your visit to the royal house of the Queen without having to worry about getting stuck in drawn-out ticket procedures because the fast-track tickets will allow you to breeze right past the lines with no trouble at all.
Advance Reservations: You can purchase tour slots and your tickets in advance using rapid online bookings, which will allow you to relax and enjoy your vacation without having to worry about securing your trip in advance.
Discounts: Online booking entitles guests to significant price reductions, allowing them to enjoy the opulence of Buckingham Palace at a more affordable rate.
Things to Do at Buckingham Palace
In spite of the fact that Buckingham Palace is an entirely different universe in terms of grandeur and size, the following are some of the most important aspects that you can investigate on your tour of the royal residences.
The Grand Staircase
The Grand Staircase of Buckingham Palace is one of the most impressive features of the tour. The majestic staircase made of bronze was created by an architect named John Nash as part of his mandate to renovate the palace for King George IV between the years 1825 and 1830.
King George IV commissioned the work. The spectacular double balustrade is made of bronze and displays an elaborate design of acanthus, oak, and laurel leaves.
This type of bronze casting work is considered to be among the best in the world. An etched glass dome installed in the ceiling provides illumination for the staircase.
The Ballroom
The Ballroom, which was the biggest of the State Rooms, was utilized for hosting events such as dances and concerts. It even featured a musician’s gallery that was equipped with an organ. Today, the Ballroom, which was finished in 1855 during Queen Victoria’s reign, is utilized for official functions, and it is sometimes used for conducting State Banquets.
Overlooking the throne canopy are statues made of plaster and sculpted by the British artist William Theed. A medallion that honors Prince Albert and Queen Victoria by depicting their likenesses at the height of their power is supported by a triumphal arch.
The Throne Room
The shockingly crimson room is home to a pair of thrones that are collectively referred to as the Chairs of Estate. These chairs were utilized during the coronation ceremony of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
In addition, the room features other chairs that were made for the coronation of King George VI and a single throne chair that was made for Queen Victoria in 1837.
All of these chairs were used during the coronation of The Queen. The room was designed by the architect John Nash, and it is beautifully decorated in a manner that is reminiscent of the seventeenth century. The dramatic effect on the room can be traced to John Nash’s history in designing stage sets.
Changing Ceremony of Queen’s Guards
Attend the time-honored ceremonial of the changing of the guard and see the soldiers, who are dressed in bearskin hats and red coats, walking about with bands while the ceremony signifies the departure of one troop and the arrival of another.
Seeing the British pomp and the grandeur of the guards marching in time to the music of the bands is a sight to behold.
Palace Garden
Stroll around the same grounds that are used by the Royal Family for entertaining guests and celebrations, just as the garden parties you must have seen depicted in English historical dramas that have been shown on TV.
Some 24,000 people are welcomed into the verdant setting each year at the Queen’s Garden Party, which is hosted during the summer months. The lake, which dates back to the 19th century, is one of the most prominent features of the garden.
The Clarence House
The illustrious architect John Nash was responsible for the design and construction of The Clarence House, which was completed in 1825. Prior to that, The Queen Mother Queen Elizabeth called this residence home for almost half a century.
This home was spared from destruction by enemy bombing during World War II despite having been constructed in the first place for the third son of George III, the Duke of Clarence.
The Royal Mews
Get a glimpse of the preparation that goes into the royal family’s ground transportation, from the extravagant horse-and-carriage journey to the cars they use to get around town, as you observe the coachmen in liveries also the chauffeurs in uniforms.
See what one of the best stables in the world looks like in action at the Royal Mews.
Music Room
While you are in the Music Room, be sure to look down at the parquet floor, which is inlaid with a variety of different kinds of wood, such as satinwood, mahogany, tulipwood, rosewood, and holly.
This is the room where many babies of royalty have been christened, including the Queen’s three oldest children. After everyone has gathered in the Green Drawing Room, the supper or feast begins with the guests of the palace being presented in this chamber.