 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Belgravia, Co. Greater London
No visit to
London would be complete without a trip to see Buckingham Palace,
London’s most famous residence, and if the Royal Standard is flying, Her
Majesty The Queen is at home.
The Palace was
originally built for the Duke of Buckingham in 1703 and was bought by
King George III. From 1824 to 1830 architect John Nash was commissioned
to transform the original mansion into the palatial building of today.
Its first royal resident was Queen Victoria and has since been the
London home of the ruling Monarch ever since.
In August and
September, Buckingham Palace is open to the public and visitors can
take a tour around several of the fabulous State Rooms including the
Throne Room housing the coronation thrones of Queen Elizabeth and
Prince Philip, the State Ballroom and the State Dining room. The State
Rooms are lavishly decorated with some of the greatest art treasures
from the Royal Collection, including works by Rembrandt, Canaletto and
Rubens as well as some of the finest antique furnishings in the world.
Visitors are also privileged to walk around the Palace Gardens, the
largest private gardens in the City, described as, ‘a walled oasis in
the middle of London’. These splendid gardens are the venue for the
Royal garden parties held in the summer, hosting over 9,000 guests.
On show at the Queen’s Gallery are royal treasures from the Royal
collection one of the finest and most valuable in the world with items
such as the famous Faberge collection, and paintings from masters like
Leonardo and Vermeer.
At 11.30 each morning (alternate during
winter) the forecourt of Buckingham Palace hosts the colourful changing
of the guard, while the Trooping of the Colour , another colourful
military spectacle is held here in June each year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
