History of the Building The Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of sovereigns since 1837. George III bought the Buckingham Palace when it was still considered a house in 1761. For a full list of all of the monarchs that have lived in the Buckingham Palace since the remodel up until 1952, click here. The original building was built in 1701 when it was just a small house. It wasn't until around the 1820's when it was remodeled by an architect named John Nash. Ironically after he finished his remodel of the house into a palace there where some constructional issues that where solved by another architect named Edmund Blore. (Who Built). After all of the reconstruction of the palace Queen Victoria was the first to move in which wasn't until she came to throne in 1837. There is more detail about the exact history of the building if you click here. |
Size The Buckingham Palace is anything but small. It has 775 rooms in total which includes 19 state rooms, 52 bedrooms for royalty and guests, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices, and 78 bathrooms. The front of the building is 108 meters long, 120 meters feel and 24 meters high. To get an idea of how large the palace really is the kitchen is so large that it can provide and fit 600 people into it for a sit down meal at one time. Not to mention there are over 760 windows throughout the whole palace which have to get was he ever 6 weeks or so. (Facts About). Take a virtual tour of certain parts of the house by clicking here. |
Significance Today the Buckingham Palace is used for many things other than just being the residence home for royalty. It is also the administration headquarters for the monarch and holds many royal ceremonies and balls year round. One thing that is specific to the location of the Buckingham palace is the changing of the guard which takes place directly in front of the Palace. This is a common tourist attraction that people from all over the world come to see. The Changing of the Guard is a ceremony in which the old guards get replaced with new guards who guard the palace as well as important locations throughout London. (Changing of the Guard). The video to the right is showing part of what the actual Changing of the Guard ceremony is. (Changing of the Guard Youtube). Tours of the Palace are also available which tourists often come to see as well. |
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Interesting Stories World War II Bombing During World War II there was a lot that happened to the Buckingham Palace. It was bombed 16 times; only 9 directly. Luckily there were no mass casualties. At the time King George VI and Elizabeth lived in the palace at the time but were not harmed. (Heaney, 1940). Considering that it was hit so many times directly its a miracle more people didn't die. One police man was killed by flying debris on March 8th 1941. Today there is still plaque that hangs in the garden of the palace remembering him. |
Royal Wedding The most recent and exciting event in London involving the Buckingham palace was Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding. It took place on April 29th, 2011. The official ceremony took place within the Westminster abbey, but afterwards there was a reception help within the palace.(Prince William). People from across the world came to the palace grounds to watch the newlyweds as they entered their reception. To the right you can see the Memorial Flight Flypast on their wedding day and the large crowd surrounding the front of the palace to watch the newlyweds come for their reception. |
Location of Buckingham Palace
Sources:
"Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace." Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Apr. 2015.
"Changing the Guard, at Buckingham Palace." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 05 Apr. 2015.
"Facts about the Buckingham Palace." The British Monarchy. The Royal Household. N.d. Web. 05 Apr. 2015.
Heaney, Amy. "Buckingham Palace." West End At War. St MaryleBone Society., September 13 1940. Web. 05 Apr. 2015.
"History of London; Buckingham Palace." History. History. 2014. Web. 05 Apr. 2015.
"Prince William and Kate Middleton's Royal Wedding Album." Marie Claire. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Apr. 2015.
"Who Built the Buckingham Palace?" The Royal Collection Trust. The Royal Collection Trust. N.d. Web. 05 Apr. 2015.
"Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace." Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Apr. 2015.
"Changing the Guard, at Buckingham Palace." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 05 Apr. 2015.
"Facts about the Buckingham Palace." The British Monarchy. The Royal Household. N.d. Web. 05 Apr. 2015.
Heaney, Amy. "Buckingham Palace." West End At War. St MaryleBone Society., September 13 1940. Web. 05 Apr. 2015.
"History of London; Buckingham Palace." History. History. 2014. Web. 05 Apr. 2015.
"Prince William and Kate Middleton's Royal Wedding Album." Marie Claire. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Apr. 2015.
"Who Built the Buckingham Palace?" The Royal Collection Trust. The Royal Collection Trust. N.d. Web. 05 Apr. 2015.