It will occupy you at least for two hours to complete the tour of Buckingham Palace. You will be walking past 19 state rooms, well furnished with artworks by the greats such as Rembrandt, Van Dyck, Canaletto, Poussin and Vermeer. London Long Stay Apartments such as Citadines St Marks London are available so that you can easily reach the Palace. But remember you are let in only when Her Royal Highness the Queen is on holiday – that is between July and September.
Buckingham Palace is where the Queen lives. Everybody knows that.
But what everybody does not know, probably, is that Buckingham is also an office. This office looks into the Monarch’s administrative matters. Although the Queen resides in other places too, Buckingham Palalce is where Her Majesty receives and entertains guests invited to the Palace.
This is where Duke of York (Prince Andrew) and the Earl and Countess of Wessex (Prince Edward and his wife) and their daughter live too. For the best experience, you need to visit those rooms – 600 in all: 19 State rooms, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 78 bathrooms, 92 offices, a cinema, a swimming pool in addition to the usual rooms. The palace runs its own post office and police station.
Buckingham Palace’s staff is also noteworthy with 400 employees: domestic servants, chefs, footmen, cleaners, plumbers, gardeners, chauffeurs, electricians, and two people who look after the 300 clocks.
If you study its history, you will find a fascinating account of the palace. Duke of Buckingham initially built this for his wife. As time passed, George IV converted it into a palace in 1826. Even today you can see the remains of the then palace at its own premises.
Originally designed by John Nash as a conservatory, the gallery showcases some of the palace’s treasures on a rotating basis, through temporary exhibitions. Entrance to the gallery is through Buckingham Gate.
There is so much of other things to check too. The Palace’s state coaches parked in the Royal Mews are a fascinating sight. The horses are perfectly groomed for their job.
Long story short, Buckingham Palace is where Queen resides officially. This is also considered the main London home. This has been the Monarch’s official residence since 1837. The very first monarch to occupy this official residence was Queen Victoria.
Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+
