ENGLAND - FAMOUS PLACES

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace has been the official résidance of British sovereigns since 1837. Located in London near St. James Park, built for the Duke of Normandy in 1703, the palace was bought by George III in 1761. The royal family, however, remained in St. James Palace.

The palace was the place of events such as the coronation of Queen Victoria in 1837. She became the first monarch who lived in Buckingham Palace with her beloved Prince Albert of Saxony.

The first house was that of a Sir William Blake in 1624 and the next owner was Lord Goring that enlarged the home of Blake in 1633. Lord Goring expanded much of the garden today known as the large Goring garden.

As Spender Goring did not pay his rent, Henry Bennet, 1st Earl of Arlington, received and occupied the mansion, known as Goring House, until it burned down in 1674. Arlington House was built the next year, the land was sold in 1704.

After his marriage in 1840 with Queen Victoria, Prince Albert took care of the reorganization of the service staff.. In 1841 the royal couple felt the mansion as too small for court life and their growing family, which is why the new wing was built by Edward Blore, closing the central court. This large wing is today the most famous public image of Buckingham with the famous balcony in the center, from where the royal family wave to the crowd during celebrations and each year during the military parade which takes place in June.

Court Ceremony Today

The ceremony has undergone a radical change in the reign of Elizabeth II, and the entrance to the palace is no longer a privilege reserved for famous names. There has been a gradual loosening in the dress code governing the uniform code of the court. Most men invited to Buckingham during the day choose to wear their service uniform or a jaquette. In the evening they wear a formal tuxedo or evening dress for women. Women wear a tiara if they possess one.

Security
Everyday there is the procession of the changing of guards

It is a military ceremony in which a contingent of guards replaces another .It often follows a very strict choregraphy.

Paule