Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of the British monarch. The Palace is a setting for state occasions and royal entertaining, a base for all officially visiting Heads of State, and a major tourist attraction. It has been a rallying point for British people at times of national rejoicing, crisis or grief.  To mark The Queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002, over one million people crowded into the area in front of the Palace and down the Mall. Originally known as Buckingham House, the building forming the core of today's palace was formerly a large townhouse built for the Duke of Buckingham in 1703 and acquired by King George III in 1762 as a private residence, finally becoming the official royal palace of the British monarch on the accession of Queen Victoria in 1837. The State Rooms form the nucleus of the working Palace and are used regularly by The Queen and members of the Royal family for official and State entertaining. Buckingham Palace is one of the world's most familiar buildings and the balcony of the Palace is the focal point at times of national celebrations when the Royal Family make a balcony appearance. The first recorded Royal balcony appearance took place in 1851; while the yearly  RAF fly-past at the end of Trooping the Colour, attracts very large crowds. More than 50,000 people visit the Palace each year as guests to banquets, lunches, dinners, receptions and the Royal Garden Parties.  Fast facts: The palace has its own chapel, post office, swimming pool, staff cafeteria, doctor's surgery and cinema and has 775 rooms in total. These include 19 State rooms, 52 Royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms - the 760 windows are cleaned every six weeks. The garden covers 40 acres and in recent times has been the setting for a charity tennis competition, pop and classical music concerts, and a children's party, where the theme was based on characters from children's books. Home to 30 different species of bird and more than 350 different wild flowers, the grounds also feature a helicopter landing area, a lake, and a tennis court. Famous historic figures who have visited the palace include: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart; Felix  Johann Strauss the Younger; Mendelssohn; Alfred Lord Tennyson; Charles Dickens; Woodrow Wilson; JF Kennedy; Mahatma Gandhi; Nelson Mandela and the first man on the moon, Neil Armstrong. Both Prince Charles and Prince Andrew were born at Buckingham Palace, and the christenings of Charles, Prince of Wales, Ann, the Princess Royal, Andrew, Duke of York and Prince William all took place in the Music Room of the palace . When The Queen is in residence, the Royal Standard flies, at other times when the Sovereign is not present, the Union Flag is flown. Nearest underground ( Tube ) station: Victoria or Green Park   See London Travel for getting around London on public transport. See Kings and Queens of England

Changing the Guard

The  impressive ceremony of Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace takes place every morning at 11:30 in summer but only on alternate days in winter (Sometimes it is cancelled if it is very wet). The ceremony, consists of the Old Guard going off duty and handing over to the New Guard and takes place on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace. This colourful ceremony is traditional but also upbeat due to the Guards Band playing an assortment of music that can range from military marches to popular themes from West End Shows. Nearest underground station: Victoria or Green Park   Changing the Guard - Horse Guards - Whitehall The changing of the guard at Horse Guards takes place Monday to Saturday morning at 11:00, and 10:00 on a Sunday. The ceremony lasts about half an hour but there a smaller ceremonies throughout the day with the mounted sentries changing every hour. Nearest underground station: Charing Cross Website: the-royal-collection.org.uk / royalresidences.com

The Mall

The Mall leads from Admiralty Arch at its eastern end to Buckingham Palace and the Victoria Memorial at its western end. It was created as a ceremonial route in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries and follows the route of the walkway that was laid out at the edge of  St James's Park, in the reign of Charles II. The Mall is closed to traffic on Sundays and public holidays, and on ceremonial occasions. During State visits to the United Kingdom, the Monarch and the visiting Head of State are escorted in a State carriage up the Mall, which is decorated with the Union Flag and the flags of the visiting Head of State's country. During the Golden Jubilee ceremonies of Queen Elizabeth II in 2002, over one million people packed the Mall to watch the public displays and the appearance of the British Royal Family on the palace balcony. It has always been a place where large numbers gather at times of National rejoicing.

Royal Mews

A visit to the stables and coach houses, designed by Nash in 1825,  provides a unique opportunity to see how horses, carriages and coaches combine to produce the pomp and pageantry that are such an essential part of Royal State Occasions. The State Coaches and carriages are on display along with the Royal cars.  Among the most spectacular exhibits are the Gold State Coach with its panels painted by the Florentine artist Cipriani.  It dates from 1762, and has been used for every coronation since that of George 1V in 1820.  Also on display is the Irish State Coach used by the Queen for her journey to and from Buckingham Palace for the yearly State Opening of Parliament. The Royal Mews are a must for all lovers of horses and Royal pomp and pageantry Admission: Fee charged. Buckingham Palace Road SW1 Nearest tube: St. James's Park, Victoria.