Located in the London borough known as the City of Westminster, Buckingham Palace is the main residence and office site for the British king or queen. The palace is also a place for state occasions, royal hospitality and a rallying point during times of nationwide jubilation and disaster. It goes without saying that Buckingham Palace is one of London’s most iconic landmarks and is a major symbol of the British monarchy. Apart from the Summer Opening between August and September and the Changing of the Guard Ceremony, the palace is generally not open to the public. The closest hotels to the palace are the Park Lane Hotel and the Park Plaza Victoria.
In 1702, the 1st Duke of Buckingham had the palace built on the edge of St. James’s Park with the intention of it being a county mansion. However, the city of London was undergoing a rapid expansion at the time and so the palace ended up in a more central location. At first known as Buckingham House when it was built between 1702 and 1705, the building was first built to be a private retreat for the British monarch, mainly Queen Charlotte, who would give birth to 14 of her 15 children at the house. Several years later, in 1762, remodeling commenced on the house. When George IV became king, he continued the renovation work with the intent of keeping the house as a small home. However, George IV died in 1830 and the work was completed under George’s brother, King William IV. After Queen Victoria’s rise to the throne in 1837, Buckingham Palace became the official residence of the British monarch after she became the first British monarch to reside at the palace. (William IV had died before all the renovations to the house were finished) Renovations continued to be made over the next several years, with the last additions being made in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
During the Second World War, Buckingham Palace was bombed seven times during German air raids on the city, but escaped serious damage. The German commanders hoped they could deal a demoralizing blow to the British people, but it had the reverse effect. After one such attack, Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother) stated “I’m glad we’ve been bombed – now I can look the East End in the face!” The palace was rebuilt and continues to serve as a symbol of Britain’s monarchy and history. At the same time, as said above, Buckingham Palace also serves as a rallying point for the people of England during both times of sorrow and of joy. The most recent time a large crowd gathered at the palace was for the wedding of Prince William and his wife, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. Apart from major events, such as royal weddings, the palace is open to the public for the Summer Opening between August and September. All of this makes the palace a must see when in London.
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