Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace is the British monarch's official London residence and administrative headquarters, in the City of Westminster, where state ceremonies and royal receptions are largely held, and a focal point where the British gather in celebration and in mourning. Its core was originally Buckingham House, a large townhouse built in 1703 for the Duke of Buckingham and Normanby; in 1761 George III bought it as a private residence for Queen Charlotte, and in the early 19th century architects John Nash and Edward Blore extended it into three wings around a courtyard. After Queen Victoria's accession in 1837, it formally became the London residence of the British monarch. Today the palace has 775 rooms in all, and the garden behind it is the largest private garden in London. Each summer, and on selected days in winter and spring, the State Rooms open to the public, and the Changing of the Guard at the gate is a great draw—don't just take photos beyond the railings, for every door and every small chapel inside hides a story.
United Kingdom · 6 The overlooked corners inside
The overlooked corners inside
Forecourt Gates, Railings and Lamp Standards
Before you join the crowd pressing against the fence, pause and look at what you're pressing against. The gilded gates and railings that stand between you and the palace are a Grade I listed structure in their own right — the highest designation in England's heritage system. Designed as the foreground to Aston Webb's remodelled façade, they frame the view from The Mall and define the ceremonial stage where the Changing of the Guard takes place.
Buckingham Palace Private Chapel
The Queen's Gallery you see at Buckingham Palace today actually stands on the site of a chapel that no longer exists. This small private chapel was built in 1843 to a design by the architect John Nash. It did not survive the Second World War: in 1940 a German bomb destroyed it completely, leaving the palace's most conspicuous wartime scar. To stand before the gallery now is to stand directly above a stretch of history that was erased and then rewritten.
White Drawing Room
The White Drawing Room is one of Buckingham Palace's State Rooms, set with the Blue Drawing Room on either side of the Music Room. These richly decorated rooms are used mainly for ceremonies and official receptions, and open to the public each summer. As a key reception space within the palace, the White Drawing Room has been the setting for many formal royal occasions.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Yellow Drawing Room
Buckingham Palace's Yellow Drawing Room is known for its distinctive chinoiserie decoration and has served as the backdrop for portraits of several British royals. Standing at the west end of the Principal Floor's main gallery, overlooking the forecourt, it takes its name from the amber satin brocade that hung there in the 19th century. Built during Edward Blore's 1840s extension of the palace, it was among the most lavish rooms of its day.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
The King's Gallery
The King's Gallery is a public art gallery at Buckingham Palace. First opened in 1962, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, it shows works from the Royal Collection in changing exhibitions. Expanded in the early 21st century and given its own public entrance, it was built in a 'new' classical style and typically displays around 450 works, mostly paintings and drawings.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Palace Chapel
Buckingham Palace has a chapel that almost no visitor realises is there. Tucked beside the… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: unofficialroyalty.com · openstreetmap.org
FAQ
What overlooked corners are worth seeing inside Buckingham Palace?
Forecourt Gates, Railings and Lamp Standards, Buckingham Palace Private Chapel, White Drawing Room and more — 6 spots in all, each with sources and a guide in your language to read or listen to on the spot.
Is the Buckingham Palace guide free?
The first 5 spots are free to read; the other 1 unlock with a one-time purchase (not a subscription).