Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is a palace in London. It is in the City of Westminster, in central London.

The Palace is the main official residence where the British monarch lives and works.^[1] The palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality. It has been a focus for the British people at times of national rejoicing and crisis.

Buckingham Palace was built in 1703 by John Sheffield, 1st Duke of Buckingham and Normandy, as a townhouse residence in London. It was bought by the British royal family in 1761. It became the official London home of the family in 1837 and was greatly expanded in the 19th century. It has 775 rooms, 19 staterooms, and 79 bathrooms. Leading up to it is a ceremonial road called The Mall. A German bomb damaged the Palace during the London blitz.

The Palace's guard is changed every day at 11:01am.

1. ↑ By tradition, the British Royal Court is still officially resident at St. James's Palace which means that, while foreign ambassadors assuming their new position are received by the British sovereign at Buckingham Palace, they are accredited to the "Court of St. James's Palace". History of St James's Palace (Official website of the British Monarchy).