At a glance

Type

Royal palace and official royal residence

Period

Original house 1703; palace conversion 1762; major remodelling 1826–1913

Style

Baroque, Neoclassical, Edwardian

Location

Westminster, London SW1A 1AA, United Kingdom

Coordinates

51.5014° N, 0.1441° W

Overview

Buckingham Palace is the working headquarters of the British monarchy as well as its most prominent ceremonial address. The palace overlooks St James’s Park to the east and its forecourt is the traditional gathering place for royal celebrations. It has been a focal point for the British people at times of national rejoicing and mourning, from VE Day crowds in 1945 to gatherings during royal jubilees and state funerals.

History

The site was originally the townhouse of the Duke of Buckingham, built in 1703. King George III purchased Buckingham House in 1761 as a private family residence known as the Queen’s House. John Nash began a major transformation for George IV in 1826, and Edward Blore completed the work in 1837, the year Queen Victoria became the first sovereign to make it the official royal home. The East Wing — today’s public-facing facade — was added by Blore in 1847 and remodelled by Aston Webb in 1913 for the current Portland stone frontage.

What you see

The palace has 775 rooms including 19 state rooms, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices, and 78 bathrooms. The ceremonial State Rooms — opened to the public every summer — include the Throne Room, the White Drawing Room, the Ballroom (the largest room at 37 metres long), and the Picture Gallery displaying Old Masters from the Royal Collection. The gilded Victoria Memorial in front of the palace was unveiled in 1911. The Changing of the Guard ceremony at the forecourt is one of London’s most visited spectacles.

Cultural significance

Buckingham Palace is the symbolic centre of constitutional monarchy in the United Kingdom and one of the most photographed buildings on earth. Beyond its ceremonial role, it houses a substantial portion of the Royal Collection — one of the largest and most important art collections in the world — including works by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Canaletto, and Rubens. Its gardens, covering 39 acres, are an important green refuge in central London.

Practical information

Address

Buckingham Palace, Westminster, London SW1A 1AA, United Kingdom

State Rooms opening

Open to the public from late July through early October; exact dates vary by year

Admission

Paid entry for State Rooms; forecourt and exterior freely accessible. Check the Royal Collection Trust website for current tickets and prices.

Getting there

The nearest London Underground stations are Victoria (District, Circle, Victoria lines), St James’s Park (District, Circle lines), and Green Park (Jubilee, Victoria, Piccadilly lines), all within a 5–10 minute walk. Numerous bus routes stop on Buckingham Palace Road and The Mall. Taxis and ride-hail services can drop off at the Victoria Memorial roundabout.

Sources & resources

• Wikipedia: Buckingham Palace
• Royal Collection Trust — State Rooms
• Cultural Heritage Online — London guides