Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace was built in 1703 and bought by King George III sixty years later. It is one of the most visited sights of London as it is the royal residence. At 11.30, a picturesque Ceremony of the Changing of the Guard takes place there which attracts a great number of tourists.

Backingham Palace faces the Mall and the white marble and gilded Queen Victoria Monument. When Queen Victoria came to the throne in 1837 it was almost impossible live in Palace. Today The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh have private suites in the North wing, overlooking Green Park. When the Queen is in the Palace, the royal stndard flies. Their home is open to around 30,000 guests in summer, attending garden parties. When the Golden Jubilee was celebrated, the gardens of Buckingham Palace were the venue for various events. The gardens have a lake, cascading water and the wild life includes flamingoes whitch do not seem to be disturbed by frequent flights of the queen’s helicopters.

Buckingham Palace is a working setting for the monarchs – with a large staff of people who are busy with various activities from running the household to organizing banquets for visiting VIP’s. According to some sources of information, about 700 people work there. When the queen gets up in the morning, seven people look after only her. They prepare her bath, her clothes, breahfast and there is a man responsible for feeding her nine dogs. There is even a piper playing Scottish music outside her room while the Queen reads her daily newapapers. From Buckingham Palace the Queen leaves on ceremonial Duties such as the State Opening of Parliament in early winter and Trooping the Colour to mark her official birthday in June.