176 years ago, Queen Victoria became the first English monarch to reside in Buckingham Palace. Initially, Buckingham Palace was known as Buckingham House, and it had been built for the Duke of Buckingham in 1703. In 1762, it was acquired by Queen Victoria.2 photos

176 years ago, Queen Victoria became the first British monarch to reside in Buckingham Palace. Initially, Buckingham Palace was known as Buckingham House, having been built for the Duke of Buckingham in 1703. In 1762, King George III purchased it as his private residence, as St. James’s Palace no longer met his requirements in terms of size and decoration. Over the following 75 years, architects John Nash and Edward Blower constructed three additional wings around the central courtyard. In 1837, when Queen Victoria ascended the throne, Buckingham Palace was officially designated as the principal residence of the British Monarchs. During her reign, significant additions were made, including the construction of another wing and the relocation of the former ceremonial entrance, the Marble Arch, to its current location near the Speakers’ Corner in Hyde Park. Today, the palace comprises 600 rooms and covers an area of 20 hectares, of which 17 hectares are occupied by gardens. The palace houses a vast art collection, including paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, and other renowned artists. Its collections also include French and English furniture, as well as French Sèvres porcelain. For two summer months each year, August and September, the Queen leaves Buckingham Palace. During these months, the palace’s public areas are open to visitors. When the Queen is in residence, the royal flag is raised on the roof. Buckingham Palace is guarded by the Household Division, consisting of the Guards Infantry Regiment and the Royal Horse Guards. Every day from April to August, at 11:30 am, a ceremony to change the guard takes place – one of the most famous events in London, attracting numerous tourists every year.