Buckingham Palace

Originally known as Buckingham House, the building at the core of today's palace was a large townhouse built for the Duke of Buckingham in 1703. It was later acquired by King George III in 1761 as a private residence for Queen Charlotte, earning it the nickname 'The Queen's House.' Over the next century, it underwent massive expansions under architects John Nash and Edward Blore, who added three wings around a central courtyard. It officially became the London residence of the British monarch on the accession of Queen Victoria in 1837. Victoria was the first monarch to reside there permanently, and she oversaw the final major structural additions, including the famous East Front balcony where the Royal Family gathers to greet the public. During World War II, the palace survived several German bombings, which the Queen Mother famously said allowed her to 'look the East End in the face.' Today, the palace is not just a home but the administrative headquarters of the Monarchy. It houses the Queen's Gallery and the Royal Mews, and its 19 State Rooms are used for official and state entertaining. While it remains a working royal palace, it has opened its doors to the public during the summer months since 1993, allowing visitors to glimpse the opulent interiors and the extensive Royal Collection of art.