Buckingham Palace – London

Buckingham Palace is one of the major tourist attractions of London. Buckingham Palace was originally the town house owned by the Dukes of Buckingham.

It is the official residence of the Queen. It has been estimated that over 50,000 people visit the Buckingham palace every year for various reasons. Tourists are allowed limited access on organized tours.

The town house came into the royal possession in 1761 when George III bought it for his queen so that they could transform it into a comfortable family home. The remodeling work of the house began in 1762 but George IV transformed the house into a palace in the end of 1826. John Nash,   French architect, gave the neo classical touch of French architecture, retained until date in the external style and in two rooms of the palace, which are the Staterooms and semi State rooms in Buckingham Palace. Queen Victoria made Buckingham Palace the royal residence in 1837 July and from that time until the present Buckingham Palace is the residence and office of the British Sovereign. Famous architects like Blore and Sir Ashton Webb made many architectural changes in the Palace.

The forecourt designed in 1911 was in memory of Queen Victoria. The forecourt is a tourist attraction as they come to watch the world famous event in Buckingham Palace, which is the changing of guards in Buckingham Palace. Changing of guards is called guard mounting. The changing of guards takes place at 11.30 am everyday during summer and during winter season, the changing of guards will take place on every alternate day. The uniform of the guards is such a feast to the eye; they wear red tunic, bearskin hats, dark blue trousers, and a white leather buff belt.

The whole palace is full of famous paintings, ancient furniture, and antiques that give the feeling of a museum but it is still the residence of the sovereign Queen Elizabeth, who resides in the palace with her family. The Ballroom in the North gallery is an all-purpose room as here the Queen receives all the invitees at various occasions like state banquets, concerts, and investiture ceremony.