Point of interest
Buckingham Palace
in London, United Kingdom
The royal family's official London residence; the State Rooms open in summer and the Changing of the Guard takes place outside year-round.
Where it is
Buckingham Palace stands at the end of the ceremonial avenue The Mall in the Westminster district, surrounded by St James's Park and Green Park.
Address: Ambassador's Court, SW1A 1AA City of Westminster
What it is
In front of the gates the famous Changing the Guard ceremony takes place, a free spectacle for visitors. During the summer months the lavish State Rooms, hung with works from the Royal Collection, open to the public.
History
The building grew out of Buckingham House, erected in 1703 and enlarged and remodelled through the 19th century. Since Queen Victoria came to the throne in 1837 it has been the official London residence of the British monarch.