On a sunny day in my London holiday, I headed to Buckingham Palace. London is a city of creativity, imagination, legends, traditions, food and shopping. Wherever you go, you’ll find architectural splendor blooming all around you, and while the city is still full of antiquity, so are the suburban taverns on the riverbanks. While London’s centuries-old narrative still defines the landscape, the additions of the Hanging Gardens, The Shard and Tate Modern provide a dynamism. Many of the city’s buildings, such as Big Ben, the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace, are notable breakthroughs.
While the city’s creative landscape is chock-full of modern art, dramatic variations, music, poetry, food, and design, its museums have rich and diverse collections. Buckingham, located in the city of Westminster, is the London residence and official headquarters of the British monarch. The Duke of Buckingham commissioned the construction of Buckingham Palace in 1703. In 1837, it used St James’s Palace as its main residence.
Now, Queen Elizabeth II divides her time between Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and Balmoral Castle in Scotland during the summer. When the Queen is at home, she waves the red, yellow, and blue four-square Royal Standard; when she is not, the Commonwealth flag is flown. Buckingham Palace is often the centre of royal hospitality and an important platform during national celebrations and disasters.
On this special day, I had to squeeze through a large crowd to see the huge black and gold royal gate. The changing of the guard ceremony, which will take place in the next few minutes, draws a large crowd.
changing of the guard ceremony
My favorite thing to do in the palace is watch the changing of the guard ceremony. The Queen’s Guard held this royal ceremony at Buckingham Palace as they handed over responsibility for the defence of Buckingham Palace and St James’s Palace to a new guard.
The 45-minute ceremony consists of soldiers in red uniforms and bearskin helmets and regimental bands who march with the drummers along with the players. It will send shivers down your spine! The Changing of the Guard takes place daily at 11:30am, but may sometimes be canceled due to inclement weather.
Buckingham Palace Stateroom
When Her Majesty is on holiday from July to September, 19 richly decorated staterooms are open to the public. The cabins are a spectacular display of suspended artwork by Anthony van Dyck, Canaletto, Johannes Vermeer, Nicolas Poussin and Rembrandt, among others.
throne room
Staterooms are open to self-guided tours, including a visit to the Throne Room, which features monogrammed dawn-coloured chairs by Her Royal Highness and Her Majesty the Queen (ER and P). The audio guide is introduced by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. For user convenience, audio guides are available in French, English, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese, Mandarin and Brazilian.
Buckingham Palace: Grand Staircase
The Grand Staircase of Buckingham Palace, complete with the most magnificent bronze casting in the world, is one of the best on display. An etched glass dome on the ceiling illuminates this gorgeous staircase. Buckingham Palace has 775 guest rooms, 52 bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 19 staterooms, 92 offices and 78 toilets, 800 royal employees and a flag bearer who looks after them.
In 1837, Queen Victoria became the first British monarch to make the palace her official residence, and it has been the monarch’s official London residence ever since. During Her Majesty’s stay, guests will be engaged in the palace’s 19 rooms. These rooms are open to the public when the Queen visits Scotland in August and September. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I’m back, satisfied!
