Awesome Buckingham Palace Facts That Will Amaze You

Did you ever wonder about the intriguing stories hidden behind the grand walls of the British monarch's residence? Nestled cozily in the vibrant heart of Westminster, Buckingham Palace is so much more than a breathtaking architectural spectacle. It's the pulse of the British monarchy, a beacon of royal hospitality, and the illustrious stage for a host of grand celebrations.

Believe it or not, over 50,000 guests from across the globe grace the palace's ornate staterooms each year. Can you picture the lively chatter and delectable feasts that have taken place within these hallowed halls?

Oh, if only the palace walls could share their secrets! They would regale listeners with tales of opulent banquets, lighthearted luncheons, lively receptions, exquisite dinners, and quaint garden parties that have been held in it.

You're about to embark on a delightful journey of discovery, unearthing fun and fascinating nuggets of knowledge about this quintessential royal landmark. Ready to fill your curiosity basket with amazing facts about Buckingham Palace? Come along, dive into this treasure trove of trivia, and delight in the mysteries of the royal world.

Buckingham Palace History

First stop on this exciting adventure? You're diving deep into the riveting history of Buckingham Palace. This fact-finding session will illuminate the beginnings of this royal residence and introduce you to its very first inhabitants. Buckle up, history buffs - this journey's just getting started!

• The site on which Buckingham Palace formed a part of the Manor of Ebury in the Middle Ages. It's possible that the first house erected within this same site belonged to Sir William Blake, around 1624.
• Buckingham Palace's story began when John Sheffield, the Duke of Buckingham, decided in 1703 to build Buckingham House which was developed into Buckingham Palace.
• Before the palace that inspires wonder today was built, the quaint Buckingham House stood in its place.
• Being a stone's throw away from St James's Palace, King George III thought Buckingham House was just the perfect family home for his beloved wife, Queen Charlotte. So, he bought it in 1761 and it became known as The Queen's House.
• St James's Palace was still the official royal residence, but the name "Buckingham Palace" was in use from around 1791.
• King George III began the process of renovating the house and George IV, his son, continued from where he stopped after his accession to the throne in 1820.
• In 1826, George IV began converting Buckingham House into a palace. After his death in 1830, his younger brother William IV continued the redesign, adding a west wing, and rebuilding the north and south wings to surround a central courtyard.
• It became the London residence of Queen Victoria, one of Britain's most iconic and longest-reigning rulers, in 1837. She was the first monarch to reside there because her predecessor, William died before the renovations were complete.
• Queen Victoria ascended the throne in 1837, and she made Buckingham House her official residence. Other changes were made to the design of the palace including the addition of a fourth wing and an attic floor.
• The entire renovation work on Buckingham Palace was completed just before World War I in 1914.
• During 1953-2002, Buckingham Palace was the London residence of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, Queen Elizabeth II, and The Duke of Edinburgh following the 1947 royal wedding.
• When the reigning monarch is in residence, the regal flag of the United Kingdom is flown from the flagpole atop Buckingham Palace. This regal flag is known as the Royal Standard.

Significance Of Buckingham Palace

Why, you may wonder, does Buckingham Palace hold such a revered spot in British culture? Brace yourself, because you're about to unravel the unique significance of this royal abode. From symbolic stature to historical moments, let's unveil the reasons that make Buckingham Palace an undeniable icon!

• At the heart of Britain, Buckingham Palace is much more than a building. It's a symbol of national unity, a stage for jubilant celebrations, and a canvas for poignant commemorations.
• Buckingham Palace is still one of London's most popular tourist sites, attracting visitors from all over the world. It is a must-see attraction for any visitor to London.
• Each year, over 50,000 visitors from all walks of life tread the opulent carpets of Buckingham Palace. They come as guests to lavish State Banquets, cozy lunches, fine dinners, lively receptions, and delightful Garden Parties.
• The Prime Minister also drops by for a weekly audience with His Majesty, and newly-appointed foreign Ambassadors come calling.
• Buckingham Palace today isn't just a royal residence basking in past glory, it's a bustling hub of contemporary royal life. At the heart of the UK's constitutional monarchy, it buzzes with a myriad of regal events and ceremonies. From hosting international dignitaries to celebrating stellar accomplishments at Investitures and receptions, it's always a whirlwind of activity.
• Queen Elizabeth II had Prince Charles and Prince Andrew in Buckingham Palace. To this day, announcements of royal births and deaths are displayed on the palace's front railings for the public to see.
• Important family events like royal christenings have taken place in the palace's Music Room. Also, it has been the venue for many Royal Weddings and receptions.
• Since Queen Victoria's appearance on Buckingham Palace's balcony during the Great Exhibition's opening celebrations in 1851, this iconic spot has been a vantage point for royal appearances during events such as the Queen's annual birthday celebrations, Royal Weddings, and poignant commemorations like the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

Buckingham Palace Rooms

Step right up and prepare for a personalized Buckingham Palace tour. You're about to journey through the sumptuous corridors of Buckingham Palace, peeking into the luxurious rooms that define royal opulence. Fasten your seatbelts, because this is no ordinary house tour. Ready to explore the grandeur within?

• There are approximately 775 rooms that make up the palace, comprising 19 staterooms, 52 royal, and guest bedrooms, 92 offices, 78 bathrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, a swimming pool, and a cinema. In addition, it has its own police station, post office, and ATM cash machine.
• The Picture Gallery is at the center of the suite of major staterooms, linking the rooms in the form of a corridor. It contains works by Rembrandt, Ruben, van Dyck, and Vermeer, among others.
• The Picture Gallery leads to the Throne Room and the Green Drawing Room. The Green Drawing Room is a large anteroom to the Throne Room, and it forms part of the ceremonial path to the Throne from the Guard Room at the top of the Grand Staircase.
• The Music Room of Prince Albert, one of the palace's smaller, less typical rooms, was constructed in 1887. It is the center of the suite of State Rooms in the palace, and it is flanked by the Blue and White Drawing Rooms.
• A suite of slightly less grand rooms in Buckingham Palace can be found directly under the state apartments, used for less formal entertaining like private audiences and luncheon parties. The Bow Room is at the center of this suite, and thousands of guests pass through it each year to reach the Queen's Garden Parties in the Gardens of Buckingham Palace.
• There is another smaller suite of rooms in the North wing for private use by the monarchs.
• The east wing of Buckingham Palace has the red and blue Chinese Luncheon Room and the Yellow Drawing Room situated at each end of an immense gallery known as the Principal Corridor. This wing has the famous Royal balcony at its center and the Centre Room behind its glass doors.
• Another extensive suite of rooms known as the Belgian suite is located on the ground floor of the west-facing garden wing, which hosts visiting heads of state.

Buckingham Palace's Architects

Ready for a dose of design dazzle? The majestic allure of Buckingham Palace is the handiwork of top-tier architects, whose vision and craft turned a mere house into a royal residence. Now, it's time to embark on a fun quest to uncover who these master creators were and how they sculpted this regal marvel from scratch!

• The journey of Buckingham Palace's design starts with the brilliant John Nash, the architect responsible for the initial transformation of the quaint Buckingham House into a much grander palace. Nash, whose work echoes throughout London, took the first step in turning the house into the regal palace it is today.
• Nash wasn't the only visionary architect to leave his mark on the palace. Edward Blore, a master in his field, picked up where Nash left off when William II took over the renovation from his brother. Blore, renowned for his work on many churches and houses, added his distinctive touch to this historic monument.

Surprising Facts About Buckingham Palace

Beyond the splendor and regality, Buckingham Palace hides a treasure trove of quirks that might leave you astounded! So, ready to uncover some royal oddities that bring an unexpected twist to the palace's grand narrative? Dive into this whimsical journey of unexpected and unusual facts about Buckingham Palace.

• While the palace is indeed an important place for the royal family, it isn't individually owned by the individual ruling monarch. Instead, it's held in trust by The Crown Estates. Revenues from the palace also do not belong to the monarch since it's not their private property.
• Up until her death, Queen Elizabeth II lived in Buckingham Palace, but it wasn't the only place she called home. She also lived in Windsor Castle, which was 20 miles west of the palace.
• Buckingham Palace was bombed nine times by the Germans during World War II. King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, afterward famous as the Queen Mother, refused to leave the palace during the assault of German bombardment, despite fears for their own safety.
• Edward VII is now the only monarch who was born and died at Buckingham Palace.
• In all of London, the palace lawn is the largest private garden. A lake, a tennis court, and even a helicopter landing area are all included.
• Buckingham Palace's Queen's Gallery was built on the site of the palace's chapel, which was damaged in a World War II airstrike.
• During World War I, King George V imposed restrictions within the palace. It included shutting the wine cellars and abstaining from alcohol usage.
• The North-West Pavilion of Buckingham Palace was turned into a swimming pool by the Royal Family in 1938.
• When a German bomb damaged the Palace Chapel, a film of the devastation was shown in theatres across the UK to show that both the rich and the poor suffered immensely during the war.
• The oldest portion of the palace is the wine vaults, located at the base of the West Wing. The Duke of Buckingham owned these vaults well before the house was recognized as a royal residence.
• During 1838-1841, a teen called Edward Jones, dubbed 'The Boy Jones' by the press, broke into this heavily protected building three times! A Michael Fagan also sneaked into the royal residence in 1982, meaning that Edward Jones was not the only thrill-seeker to jeopardize royal security.
• The Queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002 drew nearly 1 million visitors worldwide to Buckingham Palace.
• The original Buckingham Palace was never employed by the crew of Netflix's 'The Crown', even though the movie heavily featured the palace. Several scenes, however, were shot in historic British locations, including Lancaster House, Eltham Palace, and Ely Cathedral, to name a few.
• The majestic State Rooms of Buckingham Palace are available to the public whenever the ruling monarch is not in-home, which is usually around late July through September.

You've journeyed through the annals of time, roamed the grand halls, and peeked into the royal life at Buckingham Palace. From its rich history and architectural grandeur to its room-by-room splendor, and even its quirky facts, it's clear that Buckingham Palace is more than just an opulent edifice.

It's a vibrant tapestry of intriguing stories, significant moments, and enchanting surprises. If you ever get a chance to visit, remember each corner holds a tale waiting to be discovered.