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Who lives at Buckingham Palace.
Buckingham Palace has been the official London residence of Britain's monarchy since 1837, in fact Queen Victoria was the first monarch to have Buckingham Palace as her main residence. Buckingham Palace is also the residence of the Duke of York Prince Andrew, and the Earl and Countess of Wessex (Prince Edward and his wife Sophie) and their daughter.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip have offices within Buckingham Palace but also a number of state apartments used to accommodate guests during important visits to the UK and London.
IWhen is the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace?
The Changing the Guard ceremony takes place in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace at 11.30 every day in summer, every other day in winter.
The new Guards march from Wellington Barracks to the Buckingham Palace with the Guards band, the Old Guards hand over in a ceremony during which the sentries are changed and then returns to barracks.
The whole ceremony lasts around 45 minutes and is free
he Queen's Guard and Queen's Life Guard are soldiers charged with guarding the official royal residences in London. The British Army has had regiments of both Horse Guards and Foot Guards and since the reign of King Charles II these soldiers have been responsible for guarding the Sovereign's Palaces since around 1600.
Please note that Changing of the Guard is subject to weather conditions, and you can watch from outside the Palace for Free.
Did you know? The very first State Ball was held in the Blue Drawing Room in May 1838
Buckingham Palace has over 700 rooms, this includes 19 State rooms, 52 royal bedrooms and guest bedrooms, 78 bathrooms, over 90 offices, a post office, a cinema and a swimming pool. Understandably it has its own police station. 400 members of staff work at Buckingham Palace and the Queen has two members of staff just to wind over 290 clocks within the Palace.
Not all rooms are open for public access, and official tour rooms are subject to changes at any time.
Buckingham Palace Video’s
While a visit to the Palace cannot compare why not take a look at this two part series about the Palace