Buckingham Palace is the official London residence and principal workplace of the British monarchy. It is located in the city of Westminster in London close to Hyde Park. The palace is a setting for state occasions. It has been the center for the British public at times of national rejoicing and crisis, such as the royal weddings and the deaths of the monarchy. Buckingham Palace has served as the official London residence of Britain’s royals since 1837.
Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms. These include 19 State rooms, 52 Royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms. The Palace is very much a working building. It houses the offices of those who support the daily activities and duties of The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh and their immediate family. Buckingham Palace is furnished and decorated with priceless works of art that form part of the Royal Collection, one of the major art collections in the world today but it is not an art gallery or a museum.
The original palace lacked a large room in which to entertain a vast amount of people. Queen Victoria rectified that by building a ballroom built in 1853, and at the time of its construction it was the largest room in London. The State Banquet is normally held here. Around 150 guests are invited and include members of the Royal Family, the government and other political leaders, and notable people who have trade or other links with the visiting country. The annual Diplomatic Reception also held in the ballroom is attended by 1,500 guests. This is a very official occasion during which The Queen will meet every head of mission accredited to the Court of St James’s. For diplomats it is the highlight of the annual diplomatic social calendar.
A suite of rooms overlooking the gardens on the main floor is the White Drawing Room. It was originally called the North Drawing Room, and is the grandest of all the State Rooms. The White Drawing Room also serves as the Royal reception room for The Queen and members of the Royal Family to gather before State and official occasions. In the Throne Room is where The Queen, on very special occasions like Jubilees, receives loyal addresses. Another use of the Throne Room has been for formal wedding photographs.
More than 50,000 people visit the Palace each year as guests. Although in use for the many official events and receptions held by The Queen, the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace are open to public visitors every year at specific times and dates. Tradewinds Vacations wants to know where you want to go. Get out and enjoy travel and destinations around the world and let Tradewinds Vacations help.
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