Buckingham Palace, London

Buckingham Palace, the London residence and administrative headquarters of the British monarch, is an iconic symbol of the United Kingdom's rich history and heritage. The grand edifice stands at the heart of the city, serving as the site for state occasions and royal hospitality.

Constructed in 1703 for the Duke of Buckingham, the palace has undergone numerous expansions and renovations, evolving from a private house into the stately home we recognize today. It became the official royal palace of the British monarch on the accession of Queen Victoria in 1837. The palace's 775 rooms include 19 State rooms, 52 Royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices, and 78 bathrooms, illustrating the vast scale of this magnificent building.

Buckingham Palace is not only a home for the monarchy but also a working building. It is the epicenter of national celebrations, from jubilees to weddings, and the focal point for the British people at times of joy and mourning. The Changing of the Guard ceremony, a display of British pomp and circumstance, takes place in the forecourt and is a major attraction for visitors from around the globe.

The State Rooms of the palace, used for official and state entertaining, are open to the public each summer. Here, visitors can immerse themselves in the opulence of royal collections, including some of the greatest treasures from the Royal Collection—paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Vermeer, Poussin, Canaletto, and Claude, as well as exquisite examples of Sèvres porcelain and some of the finest English and French furniture in the world.

The palace's exterior is equally impressive, with the famous balcony where the royal family appears during significant events, and the 39-acre garden, which is the largest private garden in London. The garden is often used for hosting the Queen's Garden Parties, as well as for the annual summer garden party for the Not Forgotten Association, a charity for war veterans.