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While many sites in this modern, yet ancient city could be used to epitomize the seat of British Empire, to most of the world, one building seems to be the seat of all that is British.

Queen Victoria 1863Though long one of the most popular tourist attractions in the great city of London, Buckingham Palace is still the official residence of Britain's monarchy, as it has been since Queen Victoria so designated it in 1837.

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 private residence. During 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, visitors' bedrooms and others - major additions were undertaken, including adding an entire wing to form a quadrangle. The Marble Arch was moved to Hyde Park, where it still resides near Speaker's Corner. With a refacing with Portland stone in 1913, the palace received its last major change.

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Still actively in use as both residence and offices, over 50,000 guests and invited diplomats visit per year who interact with over 400 individuals for whom this is "the office". Despite its use as a home for the royal family and an active office for affairs of state, several parts of the palace are open to the public.

During August and September, the West Wing admits visitors who
can view the State Rooms. At other times of the year, various parts are open, where tourists can view spectacular jewels, dressing gowns, furniture and the building itself.

The Queen's Gallery near the Royal Mews (stables and, later, a garage) is open year-round and has an ever changing display of objects owned by the British nation. Here you can see original paintings by Rubens, Vermeer, Canaletto and other great artists.

The Royal Mews are also open to the public, where you can see 30 horses and the golden State Coach. The four-ton coach, pulled by eight horses, is used for coronations and other state functions.

Outside, the 40-acre garden presents a peaceful walk full of well-tended flowers and shrubs and a superb view of the lake.

Of course, the major attraction outside is the "Changing of the Guard", or as it's 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.

During the changing of the guard, the guards' band plays a traditional military march as one set of guards replaces the other in a formal and choreographed manner. When the Queen is in residence, four sentries stand at the front of the building. While she's away, the contingent is reduced to two.

Clad in the traditional red tunic, and bearskins, together with their distinctive helmet, the Queen's guards are rigorously trained to avoid interacting with the many visitors who try to distract them. Occasionally, other units of the Commonwealth units participate in guard duty, as do the Scots Guards and the Brigade of Gurkhas.

The Guard Mounting ceremony is performed at 11:30 am and lasts for about 45 minutes, though it's occasionally skipped due to inclement weather. The Palace location is easily accessible by the tube (the London Underground subway system). Green Park is to the north of Buckingham Palace, Victoria Station and St. James Park stations are to the south.

Buckingham Palace
London
SW1A 1AA
United Kingdom
Tel: 020 7766 7300

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Queen Victoria - Duke of Buckingham - Buckingham House - George III - The Marble Arch - Hyde Park - Speaker's Corner - Queen's Gallery - Royal Mews - State Coach - Changing of the Guard - Guard Mounting - Household Troops - Foot Guards - Commonwealth - Scots Guards - Brigade of Gurkhas - London Underground - Green Park - Victoria Station - St. James Park Station


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Page Updated 11:19 AM Monday 7/27/2015