Buckingham Palace History

1705: A large townhouse, built for the Duke of Buckingham.

1761: Acquired by George III as a private residence for Queen Charlotte.

1837: Official royal palace when Queen Victoria became Queen.

Buckingham's Reforms

During the 19th century it was enlarged, principally by architects John Nash & Edward Blore, forming three wings around a central courtyard.

The last major structural additions were made in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including the East front which contains the well-known balcony on which the Royal Family traditionally congregates to greet crowds outside.

A German bomb, the 10th September 1940 destroyed the private Royal Chapel of Buckingham Palace. It was Duke of Edinburgh’s idea to reopen the bomb-damaged area as a gallery to show works of art from the Royal Collection. It was reopened in 1962. It is known as the Queen's Gallery.

Buckingham's Guards

Since 1660 royal guards have protected the palace.

Nowadays the change of guard has become a tradition for London's habitants. It lasts 45 min. and a lot of people, mostly tourists, congregate.