Buckingham Palace

The façade facing The Mall is famous, but the palace behind it is much larger. When the monarch is in residence, the Royal Standard flies from the roof; otherwise it’s the Union Jack. For the Changing of the Guard, the Victoria Memorial or The Mall offer the best views, and nearby Wellington Barracks is also a good spot. Outside the summer months, the Royal Mews and the King’s Gallery are worth a visit, as they are open for more of the year.

Background

Buckingham Palace (UK: ) is the official residence and administrative headquarters of the monarch of the United Kingdom in London, England. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is often at the centre of state occasions and royal hospitality. It has been a focal point for the British people at times of national rejoicing and mourning. Originally known as Buckingham House, the building at the core of today's palace was a large townhouse built for the Duke of Buckingham and Normanby in 1703 on a site that had been in private ownership for at least 150 years. It was acquired by George III in 1761 as a private residence for Queen Charlotte and became known as The Queen's House. In the early 19th century it was enlarged by the architects John Nash and Edward Blore, who constructed three wings around a central courtyard. Buckingham Palace became the London residence of the British monarch on the accession of Queen Victoria in June 1837.

From Wikipedia: “Buckingham Palace”, licence CC BY-SA 4.0