Buckingham Palace
The official London residence and administrative headquarters of the British monarch, in the City of Westminster. Watch the Changing of the Guard outside, or tour the State Rooms when they open to the public each summer.
The official London residence and administrative headquarters of the British monarch, in the City of Westminster. Watch the Changing of the Guard outside, or tour the State Rooms when they open to the public each summer.
A ceremonial handover of palace guard duties, with a military band, watched from along the railings and The Mall on published ceremony days.
Guardsmen in their distinctive bearskin caps and red tunics stand sentry at the palace gates year-round, a favorite photo stop for visitors.
Used for official entertaining, the State Rooms open to ticketed visitors for part of the year when the King is not in residence.
State Room opening dates and Changing of the Guard schedules vary by season. Confirm both on the official Royal Household and Royal Collection Trust websites before visiting.
Still the monarch's administrative headquarters today, not just a historic building, making a visit feel current rather than purely ceremonial.
The Changing of the Guard is free to watch and one of London's most recognisable public rituals.
Steps from St James's Park and The Mall, easy to combine with a wider walk through royal London.
When can you visit inside Buckingham Palace?
The State Rooms open to ticketed visitors on a seasonal basis, typically in summer when the King is not in residence. Confirm current dates and tickets on the official Royal Collection Trust website.
What is the Changing of the Guard?
A ceremony in which the palace guard is formally handed over, held on a published schedule. Crowds gather along the railings and The Mall to watch, and it's free to attend.
Where is Buckingham Palace?
In the City of Westminster, central London, at the end of The Mall and bordering St James's Park, close to St James's Park, Victoria, and Green Park Underground stations.
How old is Buckingham Palace?
The building began as Buckingham House, a townhouse built in 1703. It was acquired by George III in 1761 and later expanded into the palace known today.
The building at the core of today's palace began as Buckingham House, a large townhouse built in 1703 for the Duke of Buckingham and Normanby, on a site that had been privately owned for at least 150 years. George III acquired it in 1761 as a private residence for Queen Charlotte, and it grew over the following decades into the state and ceremonial building recognized today.
Buckingham Palace remains a working royal residence and the monarch's administrative headquarters, hosting state occasions and official entertaining throughout the year. Its forecourt, guarded by the King's Guard, is the backdrop for the Changing of the Guard, one of London's best-known free public ceremonies.
