Still, plenty of lesser-known facts, untold stories, and secrets of royal customs are kept for tourists beyond the gates and gold-plated fences. JustAirports endeavors to cover every aspect of Buckingham Palace including the structure, major historical events, architectural milestones, and the easiest ways to access it via London airports in this comprehensive 2500+ word guide.
A Royal Timeline: Buckingham Palace Throughout Time
• 1703: Initially constructed as Buckingham House for the Duke of Buckingham.
• 1761: Bought by King George III to be used as a private residence for Queen Charlotte.
• 1837: Became the official royal palace after Queen Victoria ascended the throne.
• 20th Century: Endured minor damage during the bombings of WWI and WWII.
• Present: Official residence of King Charles III (succeeding Queen Elizabeth II).
Historical Tidbits:
• Queen Victoria was the first monarch to live here.
• The palace contains 775 rooms with 92 offices and 78 bathrooms.
• The structure is so large that it has a post office, theatre, and police station.
An Architectural Overview of Buckingham Palace: A Royal Design Statement
The neoclassical architectural style of the palace demonstrates the imperial influence of the country’s power alongside the region’s aesthetics. Noteworthy aspects include:
• The East Front (facing The Mall): Redesigned by Sir Aston Webb in 1913.
• The Balcony: Known for royal family appearances and celebrations.
• The Grand Staircase: Adorned with portraits of past monarchs.
• Gardens: Containing a private lake, over 39 acres in size, and more than 350 varieties of wildflowers.
Hidden Gem: Allegedly below the palace lies a range of underground passages that connect with nearby government offices and Clarence House.
Fascinating Trivia & Lesser-Known Facts
1. The Queen’s Bedroom Was Once Broken Into. Michael Fagan climbed the palace walls and entered the Queen’s bedroom while she was in it in 1982.
2. The Flag Tells You Who’s Home. The Royal Standard denotes the monarch’s presence, but the Union Jack indicates their absence.
3. The Ballroom Transforms for State Banquets. Tables set with 1,104 glasses, hand-polished and meticulously arranged with rulers for symmetry.
4. The Palace Has a Secret ATM. It is located in the basement and intended for royal household staff.
5. WWII Bombing: The palace took Queen Elizabeth’s (Mother) quotation, “Now I can look the East End in the face,” rather literally as the palace was hit nine times.
6. Royal Bees: The palace grounds even have beehives that produce honey.
7. The Garden Parties: Every year, the Queen’s summer garden parties are attended by around 30,000 guests.
8. Staff Live Onsite: The palace complex houses more than 800 staff members who live onsite.
9. Royal Pets’ Cemetery: Rumor has it that a secluded nook in the garden is designated for buried royal pets.
10. Royal Secret Tunnel?: A tunnel is supposedly connecting the palace with Whitehall and Parliament.
When and How to Visit
Open to the Public:
• The end of July and Early October – The State Rooms and the garden are accessible to the public.
What You’ll See:
• The Throne Room – Used for ceremonies and for taking wedding pictures
• The Picture Gallery – The works of Rembrandt, Rubens, and Vermeer are displayed here.
• The Ballroom – Grand room where state dinners and other ceremonies are held.
• The Garden Tour – This ticket will allow you to separate the garden from the rest of the ticket hold.
Essential points for securing entry:
• Charge tickets online for quick-entry gates.
• Get in the gates at least 1 hour before as they operate on a strict timetable.
JustAirports Pro Tip: Purchase a private airport transfer straight to central London; this way, you can avoid queuing with public transport and be taken directly to the palace’s gates.
Transport Alternatives: Airport Transfer Buckingham Palace
Located at – Westminster, London SW1A 1AA
Looking at the city’s Major Airports via JustAirports:
• Heathrow Airport- 45 – 60 mins
• Gatwick Airport – 65 – 80 mins
• London City Airport – 30 – 40 mins
• Stansted/Luton – 75 – 90 mins
• Southampton Airport – 100 – 120 (intercity private transfer)
Drivers from Just Airports track your flight, carry the bags, and guarantee a comfortable trip with no added charges.
Changing of the Royal Guards: A Ceremony Like No Other
This very fancy ceremony is performed to change the Queen’s Guard (now the King’s Guard) outside the palace, and it includes a lot of order and pageantry.
• Timing: Usually takes place at 11:00 AM on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. (Verify Timings)
• Best Viewing Spots: Victoria Memorial or The Mall, right at the front gates.
Fun Fact: The guards’ tall fur hats are made from Canadian black bear fur, each over 1.5 lbs.
Royal Occasions to anticipate:
• Trooping the Colour: takes place every June to celebrate the monarch’s birthday.
• Garden Parties: feasts for the public attended by royal family members featuring music.
• State Visits: telecast ceremonial reception of visiting heads of state.
• Xmas season Decorations: The palace is ablaze with lights signaling the holiday season in December, but not open during the holidays.
Top Places To Capture Pictures:
• The Victoria Memorial has a great palatial view for long shots.
• The Mall: tree-lined picture-perfect road for getting arrival shots.
• Green Park: for quiet framed views.
Other Places To Visit In The Vicinity
• St James’ Park (Two Minute Walk): Places for enjoying lunch after the tour.
• Westminster Abbey (Ten minute Walk): Royal Church for coronation
• Houses of Parliament & Big Ben (twelve-minute walk)
The Royal Meuws: exhibitions of the carriages of the Queen alongside the horses.
Common Questions:
Q1: Can the palace be visited any other time of the year?
No. The other rooms are only from late july till early October.
Q2: Are guides available to conduct the tour?
Every visitor has multimedia guides, and expert tours can be booked.
Q3: Will the guard be changing the shift on every tour?
Not daily. Check the Household Division website for schedules.
Q4: Food and Drink Policies:
State Rooms do not allow food. An on-site café is available at the Garden exit.
Q5: Photography Policies:
Taking pictures inside State Rooms is prohibited.
Final Thoughts
Outside being a royal residence, Buckingham Palace is a living testament to Britain’s rich history, present, and future—it’s a wonder to cherish. During a limited time, if you gaze at the palace or even at the guards tending to the premises, your imagination can seamlessly transport you to decades of noble existence.
Just Imagine experiencing all of this upon landing in London. With no hassle, no switching trains, and only direct drives from any airport to London—no need to imagine because that is precisely what Just Airports offers!
If you want to be the head of the line when wowing royal landmarks, head to www.justairports.com and book a ride tailored solely for you.