Buckingham Palace has been the London residence of British kings and queens since Queen Victoria came to the throne in Queen Victoria
John Sheffield Buckingham Palace built in 1703 by John Sheffield, Duke of Buckingham. King George III bought the house in 1762 as a town dwelling for Queen Charlotte, and they occupied it as a private residence. George III
Buckingham Palace panorama, 1909 Buckingham House, 1710
The present palace – building work started in 1825 – was designed by John Nash, who commissioned by King George IV. The east- or front-wing of the palace, the part most familiar to the public today, was built in 1847 and refaced in Portland stone in George IV
The west facade of Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace seen from Green Park
The Royal Family on the balcony in 1986
Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms. These include 19 State rooms, 52 Royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms. The State apartments are in the west wing of the palace and are approached by the Grand Hall and Grand Staircase. Grand Hall
Guests ascending the Grand Staircase in Grand Staircase
The Ballroom, the largest of the apartments, built for Queen Victoria in the 1850s, is used for State banquets and investitures.
The Throne Room
The Queens private apartments are in the north wing and on the opposite side is Queens Gallery, which since 1962 has been open to the public, showing works of the art from the royal collection. The State Dining RoomThe Queen's Breakfast Room
Nash Gallery
The Pennethorne Gallery
The White Drawing
The Blue Drawing Room
The Green Drawing Room
The palace garden are used for the royal garden parties; the Royal Mews, or stables, on the south of the palace grounds, house the carriages, horses and royal cars and also open to the public on certain afternoons each week.
The Gold State Coach