The first thing that pops into our minds when we think of London apart from its weather is the majestic building that is almost synonymous with London -The Buckingham Palace. Buckingham Palace is the London residence and administrative headquarters of the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom.
It is Located in the City of Westminster. Although it is now in use for the many official events and receptions held by The Queen, the Buckingham Palace has a long history.
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History Of Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace was built on a site where James I planted a mulberry garden in order to cultivate silkworms. But due to the wrong type of mulberry bush, he was unable to successfully produce any silk. John Sheffield, 3rd Earl of Mulgrave and Marquess of Normandy built the Palace as the ‘Buckingham House’ as his London residence in 1703 on a site that had been in private ownership for at least 150 years.
Buckingham Palace Facts
But after he was made the Duke of Buckingham in 1703 he renamed the house after his title as the Buckingham Palace. Later in 1761, the Palace was acquired by George III for his wife, Queen Charlotte, to be known as The Queen’s House.
Buckingham House was renovated and enlarged into a palace in the 1820s after George IV commissioned architect John Nash and Edward Blore who constructed three wings around a central courtyard. However, since 1837 it began to be used as the official residence by Queen Victoria who was the first British monarch to do so.
Since then the palace has served as the official London residence of Britain’s sovereigns. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including the East front and the Balcony from where the royal family waves to crowds were added. However, it was only in 1851, during the opening of the Great Exhibition that Queen Victoria made the first ever public appearance on the balcony.
It was in the 20th century that George VI brought in the tradition of commemorating the end of the Trooping the Colour celebrations, which marks the monarch’s annual birthday parade, with an RAF fly-past. The palace chapel was destroyed by a German bomb during World War II.
How Many Rooms are there in Buckingham Palace?
The Majestic Buckingham Palace houses 775 rooms. These include 19 Staterooms, 52 Royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms. The menstruation shows the building to be 108 meters * 120 meters* 24 meters (length, deep and high).
The term ‘State Rooms’ denote to those rooms that were earlier used as the ‘Public rooms’ of the Palace. Today these rooms are used extensively by The Queen and members of the Royal Family to receive and entertain their guests on State, ceremonial and official occasions. Many of the other State Rooms also have particular uses today.
What is the Music room used for?
Few special rooms are also in use such as the Music Room where the guests are presented to The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh and the visiting Head of State on the occasion of a State visit. The music room has also been used for royal christenings of Princes and Princesses by the Archbishop.
Another example is that of the Throne Room where the Queen receives the Loyal addresses. It is also The royal reception room for The Queen and members of the Royal Family is given, which is also the grandest to suit the occasion.
The Palace has the largest private garden in London and if you are willing to have the glimpse of it by yourself, you can do so as the Staterooms are open to the public each year during Summers and on some days in winter and spring.
The Palace has the largest private garden in London and if you are willing to have the glimpse of it by yourself, you can do so as the Staterooms are open to the public each year during Summers and on some days in winter and spring.
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