Buckingham Palace is one of the most recognisable palaces in the UK and also one of the most famous landmarks that people around the world know about. It has been the residence of generations of royals and keeper of priceless treasures although it has had a humble start as a large townhouse until it became the residence of the British monarchs. There are plenty of interesting facts associated with the palace that not many people might be aware of.
It is Not the Official Residence of the Sovereign: Although, Buckingham Palace is where Queen Elizabeth normally stays when she is in London, St James’s Palace is still her official residence and foreign ambassadors are formally accredited to the Court of St James’s.
A Whole Lot of Rooms in Buckingham Palace: An incredibly large number of rooms make up the palace, 775 to be precise including 19 state rooms, 52 Royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms. Over 800 members of staff live at the palace, including a flagman, fendersmith and clockmaker. The palace has 350 clocks and watches that are looked after by two horological conservators, who both work full-time keeping them going all the time.
There was a Mulberry Garden at its Site: At the site of the palace, a mulberry was started by King James I to rear silkworms. However, it did not succeed as the wrong species was chosen by the king.
Its Name: It was named after the Duke of Buckingham: Buckingham Palace was built by a Tory politician, John Sheffield, 3rd Earl of Mulgrave, Marquess of Normanby, and later the Duke of Buckingham in 1703, to serve as his London home for his visits to the city.
Queen’s House: The palace was known as Queen’s House after King George III bought it in 1761 at a cost of £21,000 (£3m smackers in today’s money), as a gift for his wife Queen Charlotte as her London home. 14 of their 15 children were born here. However, the palace was not an Official Royal residence until Queen Victoria declared it so during her reign.
It Became a Palace in the 1820s: The house was remodelled in the 1820s and turned into a palace when King George IV commissioned John Nash to do so. However John Nash was removed from the job as the construction became very expensive. George’s successor William IV hired Edward Blore to complete the palace.
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The Palace was First Occupied by Queen Victoria: Immediately after occupying the throne in 1837, Queen Victoria moved to Buckingham Palace and made it her official residence. Her predecessor William IV had preferred to live at Clarence House and to use St. James's Palace for State functions.
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Major Extensions in the Palace Only Until Early 20th Century: It was only until early 20th century that major structural additions were made with the last one taking place in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, such as the East front where the famous balcony where the royal family traditionally appears to greet crowds outside, is located. The Queen’s gallery was built at the site of the palace chapel that was destroyed by a German bomb during World War II. It was officially opened in 1962. It now displays works of art from the Royal Collection.
Largest Private Garden in London: The Buckingham Palace garden is the largest private garden in London and is the venue for the Queen’s garden parties.
Each Year the Palace State Rooms are Open to the Public: The state rooms are where official and state entertaining takes place and they are thrown open to the public each year during most of August and September as part of the Palace's Summer Opening, when the Queen is away.
Union Flag at the Palace: Contrary to the common perspective that Her Majesty the Queen is in the palace when the Union flag is flying at full mast, the truth is that her presence in the palace is only conformed when the Royal Standard flies at full mast.
Secret Tunnels: The palace was built on top of a network of super-secret tunnels due to which the famous royal residence is connected to all the nearby streets in St James’ through the passageways running under the surface of the palace. These passageways were the favourite places of the Queen Mother and King George VI (the mother and father of Queen Elizabeth II) that they loved to explore. They even met a very polite man from Newcastle, on one of their trips, who said that he lived there.
The Self-Contained Palace: Buckingham Palace is self-contained as it has its own chapel, post office, swimming pool, doctor’s surgery and cinema.
Four Royal Christenings: The Archbishop of Canterbury had christened four royal babies in the Music Room at Buckingham Palace – The Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, The Duke of York and Prince William.
Births and Deaths at the Palace: The only monarch in the palace’s history who was born at the palace and who also died there is Edward VII (1841-1910). The other royals who were born there include William IV, and Prince Charles and Prince Andrew, the sons of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
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