subject: The History of Buckingham Palace [print this page] The History of Buckingham Palace The History of Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace has a history that dates back over 500 years and has changed hands on numerous occasions, however much of the building that remains standing today is from the original structure built in the early 1700. So how has the palace changed and developed since early 1700?
In the beginning Buckingham Palace was originally known as Buckingham House. However in 1762 George III liked the house so much that he brought it for 28,000 and renamed it Queen's House. The reason for this was down to the fact he brought the house to give to his wife Charlotte. Shortly after he did this work soon began in order to remodel the house with the help of Sir William Chambers. This trend then continued with the accession of George IV in 1820 when he decided to reconstruct the house but he still used it for the same purpose that his father did.
One of the biggest physical changes to the house however occurred several years later when the king had a change of mind. It was in 1826 that king George IV set about transforming the house into what it is known today, Buckingham Palace. He did this with the help of an architect known as John Nash.
The work that Nash carried out involved doubling the size of the main block through adding a new suite of rooms on the garden side facing the west. He then faced this with mellow Bath stone, which reflected the French neo-classical influence favoured by George IV. Many of the rooms that Nash added still remain pretty much unchanged today.
Another major change to the palace took place in 1837; this change on the other hand was to the main use of the building. I am of course referring to the fact Queen Victoria was the first sovereign to take up residence in July 1837. Since this decision was made the palace has continued to be the home of the British Monarchy throughout the years and throughout these years it has continued to be changed and remodelled, like in 1913 when a decision was made to reface the faade.
Sir Aston Webb created a new design, which involved Portland Stone. This took 12 months to prepare before any building work began and after building work was started it took 13 weeks to complete. This process involved removing the old stonework and refacing it. Also the gates and railings that stand around Buckingham Palace were constructed in 1911. This means that all of the major work was completed before the First World War in 1914.
Buckingham Palace Today
The palace as it stands today acts as not only the London residence of Her Majesty the Queen but also as the administrative headquarters of the Royal Household. It is in fact one of the few working Royal palaces that remain in the world today. The state rooms are extensively used by the Queen as well as Members of the Royal Family as a way of receiving and entertaining guests on state, ceremonial and official occasions.
Around 50,000 guests every year are entertained at the palace's garden parties, receptions, audiences and banquets. However its not just invited guests that get to see inside the palace. In August and September the Queen visits Scotland and during this time the nineteen state rooms in the palace are open to visitors.
Buckingham Palace is a huge tourist attraction and represents so much British history. It is a monument that has been around for 500 years and will continue to be here long into the future; it will be here for as long as the British Monarchy. The above is the history of the palace but this will just continue to grow as long as the palace stands.
