BUCKINGHAM PALACE
Buckingham Palace has been the official London residence of the British monarch since
Queen Victoria ascended the throne in 1837.
Buckingham
Palace
Built in 1703 years ago by the 'man who was the Duke of Buckingham at that time. When George III became king soon after, he liked the palace so much that he bought it, and English kings and queens have lived in it ever since. Buckingham Palace is attended night and day by special troops of the British Army. These troops work in shifts, like all guards. Each time a new shift comes on, there is a very colorful ceremony called the "Changing of the Guard." The bugle call at this time suggested the music for the song that starts, "They're changing Guards at Buckingham Palace, Christopher Robin went down with Alice."
Historical Background
Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of the British monarch since Queen Victoria ascended the throne in 1837. It is placed at the end of the Mall, a wide avenue leading from Trafalgar Square, and faces the Victoria Memorial, a statue of Queen Victoria. A statue of Nike, the ancient Greek goddess of victory, stands in front of the palace in memory of Queen Victoria too. The royal Banner is set on the roof when the monarch is in residence, and the famous Changing of the guard takes place in the palace forecourt every day from, April to September and every other day from October to March. This is perhaps the most popular happening which can be seen in Buckingham Palace. Certain rooms are open to the public in August and September while the Queen is not in residence. Buckingham Palace was built by the Duke of Buckingham and Normandy in 1703 and bought by George III in 1761, although St James's Palace continued to be the official royal residence until the accession of Queen Victoria. The building, in neo-classical style, was remodeled by John Nash in 1825. In 1856 a ballroom was added and in 1913 Sir Aston Webb altered the East Front, which faces the Mall. Marble Arch was the entrance to the palace until it was moved to the north-eastern corner of Hyde Park in 1851. The palace has about 600 rooms and is surrounded by 20 hectares of gardens. Some of the state apartments are open to the public in July and August. The Queen's Gallery and the Royal Mews on the south side of the palace are both permanently open to the public. In the queen's Gallery, annual exhibitions of paintings and works of art from the Royal Collection are shown. In the Royal Mews state coaches and carriages are displayed: among them is the Gold State Coach, which was used at every coronation since that of George IV in 1762. The stables, in which the Windsor Grey and Cleveland Bay carriage horses are kept, are also open to the public.
HOW TO GET THERE
Tube: Green Park, St
James Park. Rail: Charing Cross, Victoria. Bus: 2B, 3, 9, 14, 16, 19, 22, 25,
30, 36, 38, 52, 73, 74, 82, 137, 509, 510.
Green Park; St. James's Park; Victoria Station
CHANGING OF THE GUARD
The changing of the guard occurs daily at 11:30 A.M., May to August (on alternate days, September to April, except when it rains).
PALACE STATE
ROOMS
Buckingham
Palace State Rooms. Open daily from 6 August to 4 October 1998. Tickets are
available on the day or in advance, from 09.00, at the ticket office in
Green Park. Admission Required.
VISITOR OFFICE
The Visitor Office, Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA.
Telephone 0171 839 1377. Fax 0171 930 9625.
24-hour information: 44-171-799 2331
General enquiries: 44-171-839 1377, 171/ 930-4832
Credit card booking: 44-171-321 2233
