Buckingham Palace is the official residence in London of Queen Elizabeth II, is located in the borough of Westminster. This marshy stretch of land on the banks River Tyburn has had many owners, from Edward the Confessor and William the Conqueror to the monks of Westminster Abbey and King George III. It was he who decided to make Buckingham House a royal residence as St James's Palace was gradually deteriorating and uncomfortable to live in.
In 1837, on Queen Victoria's accession to the throne, was declared the official residence of the British monarchs. By this time the architects John Nash and Edward Blore (who designed Alupka Palace) had built a a complex of four buildings forming a square with an inner courtyard. Construction continued during Queen Victoria's reign, and the Ballroom was built - the largest room of the palace, 36.6 metres long and 18 metres wide. According to official records, the palace has a total of 775 rooms - 19 ceremonial halls, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 188 servants' rooms, 92 service rooms and 78 bathrooms. The building itself is 108 metres long, 120 metres wide, and reaches a height of 24 metres.
More than 50,000 people visit Buckingham Palace each year as formally invited guests to banquets, lunches, or Royal Garden Receptions - a tradition introduced by Queen Victoria. The first thing guests see is the Great Hall and the marble steps of the Grand Staircase. The portraits on the walls hang just as they did under Queen Victoria.
The first thing that catches the eye in the Throne Room is the archway, which is supported by by two winged victory figures. The Throne Room is now used for ceremonial receptions on special occasions and where the official royal wedding photographs are taken. The East Gallery leads to the Ballroom, where receptions and concerts are held. The West Gallery leads to the palace's other formal rooms of the palace - the Blue, White and Yellow Drawing Rooms and the Music Room. These rooms are open to the public in August and September.
