Buckingham Palace, located in the City of Westminster in London, is the official residence of the sovereign of the United Kingdom, currently Charles III.
In addition to being the seat of the royal family, Buckingham Palace is also the place where official state ceremonies take place. It is also a popular tourist site, visited by travellers from all over the world, especially to watch the changing of the guard.
For the British, this palace is the symbol of the British monarchy, rich in history and figurative significance. There are many curoisities to be told about this wonderful historical building, which covers a total area of no less than 77,000 m².
Buckingham Palace, located in the City of Westminster in London, is the official residence of the sovereign of the United Kingdom, currently Charles III. In addition to being the seat of the royal family, Buckingham Palace is also the place where official state ceremonies take place. It is also a popular tourist site, visited by travellers from all over the world, especially to watch the changing of the guard. For the British, this palace is the symbol of the British monarchy, rich in history and figurative significance. There are many curiosities to be told about this wonderful historical building, which covers a total area of no less than 77,000 m².
One is surprised when one learns the true size and amenities of Buckingham Palace. Indeed, inside the palace one can find more than 775 rooms, of which 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices, 19 staterooms and 78 bathrooms. In addition, the 39-acre estate also contains a post office a cinema, a police station and a clinic.
How to know if the Monarch was inside Buckingham Palace? Simple, just look at the flag. Two types of flags were used for these signals: the Queen's Royal Banner (for Elizabeth II) and the Union Jack. If the Queen's Royal Banner was flown high on the mast, it meant that the Queen was inside the palace. If, on the other hand, the Union Jack flag was flown, it meant that the Queen was not there at the time.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, being the precocious genius that he was, embarked on a tour around Europe with his family when he was only seven years old. He therefore played in all the greatest centres of music on the Old Continent, including Buckingham Palace, between 1763 and 1766.
Buckingham Palace's most famous attraction is undoubtedly the Changing of the Guard, a ceremony that attracts thousands of tourists every day. During the ceremony, the royal guards parade in front of the main entrance to Buckingham Palace accompanied by the music of a band. The ritual lasts about 45 minutes, during which the guards, wearing their huge hats, perform a parade to a military rhythm and also to more modern music.
John Sheffield was the first Duke of Buckingham and held this position from the beginning of the 18th century. In 1703 he ordered the demolition of an existing house in Westminster and built a new palace in its place.