This is the official London residence of HM Queen Elizabeth II. After being developed from a large townhouse built for the Duke of Buckingham in 1703, the palace eventually became the official royal palace of the British monarch in 1837 and is now the world’s largest “working” royal palace.

It is also a venue for state occasions and royal entertaining, as well as a base for all Heads of State who are officially visiting London. The palace consists of 19 state rooms, 52 principal bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms, and the state rooms were made open to the public in the 1990s.

Other public attractions include the Royal Collection (priceless furnishings, paintings, fittings and other artifacts, which can be viewed at certain times of year), the Queen’s Gallery (open all year round) and the daily Changing of the Guard ceremony.