Buckingham Palace is famous the world over for being the official home of the British monarch. In a new post shared by The Royal Collection Trust, the 775-room property’s fascinating history has been revealed. Did you know that this grand building was once crumbling?
The Instagram post, which included pictures of the royal residence through the eras, read: “Buckingham Palace is one of the most recognisable buildings in the world, but did you know the building didn’t always look like it does today?” Explaining the history, the caption continued: “Buckingham Palace today. The original building was built by and named after the Duke of Buckingham in around 1705. Buckingham House was purchased by George III in 1762 for Queen Charlotte. George IV converted Buckingham House into a U-shaped Palace, but it wasn’t completed until after his death.
“Queen Victoria was the first monarch to live at Buckingham Palace. To make more room for her large family, the East Wing was added to the front of the Palace, including the famous balcony. By the reign of King George V, the façade was crumbling due to the poor London air. In 1913, the iconic Portland Stone façade we see today was completed.”
The first image in the collection shows Buckingham Palace today, with guards stood outside, and the other paintings and photos show the legendary building with its different exteriors. “So remarkable,” penned one follower.
The facelift was an extensive 13-week process with 800 workmen working six days a week, as reported by Londonist. The property is now an iconic city attraction with visitors commending the “opulence” of the building on Google Reviews. Another added: “A visit that everyone should make once in their life.”
Inside the gates, there is the largest private garden in London, spanning 40 acres. The residence also boasts its own post office and swimming pool.
When will King Charles move into Buckingham Palace?
While King Charles does you Buckingham Palace for work, like official engagements and banquets, it is not yet his primary residence. The palace is undergoing a £369 million reservicing project which is due to conclude in 2027. The final phase of the renovations is taking place in the North Wing, which is where the state apartments are. So, there is a planned transition for Charles to move in once these are complete.
The monarch and his wife, Queen Camilla, currently reside a four-minute drive away at Clarence House. There are many reasons that His Majesty loves Clarence House, and many of which are tied to loving memories inside the walls. It was the first home he grew up in, and then it was his grandmother, the Queen Mother’s, property. Charles was famously close to his granny and spent lots of time there. He has even recalled the comforting sound of the grandfather clocks being etched in his memory.
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