The palace was built in 1705 for the Duke of Buckingham and was known as Buckingham House. It was in 1837, with the accession of Queen Victoria, that Buckingham Palace became the official royal palace of the British monarch.

It is also the residence and the office of Her Majesty The Queen, being one of the few working royal palaces in the world.

The palace has a total of 775 rooms, which include 19 State rooms, 52 Royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms. The 19 State rooms, normally used for official and state entertaining, are open to the public during the months of August and September. These rooms are decorated with priceless works of art, including paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens and Canaletto.

Even though the palace is open to visitors only two month each year, it is assaulted by visitors who come to see the changing of the guards ceremony, taking place in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace at 11.30 every day in summer, every other day in winter.