Page 100 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - London

98  L ONDON AREA B Y AREA

u Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is both the office and official
London residence of the British monarchy. It is
also used for ceremonial state occasions, such
as banquets for visiting heads of state. About
800 people work at the palace, including officers
of the Royal Household and domestic staff.
John Nash converted the original Buckingham
House into a palace for George IV (reigned 1820–
30). Both he and his brother, William IV (reigned
1830–37), died before work was completed, and
Queen Victoria was the first monarch to live at the Music Room
State guests are presented and royal
palace. The present east front, facing The Mall, was christenings take place in this room,
added to Nash’s conversion in 1913. The State which boasts a beautiful, original
Rooms are open to the public in summer. parquet floor by Nash.
The Ballroom
The Victorian ballroom is
used for state banquets
and investitures.

The Queen’s Gallery
Artworks from the Royal
Collection (see p100), such as
Canaletto’s Rome: The Pantheon,
are often on display.

KEY
1 The State Dining Room is
where meals that are less formal
than state banquets are held.
2 The Blue Drawing Room is
decorated with imitation onyx
columns, created by John Nash.
3 The White Drawing Room is
where the royal family assemble
before passing into the State
Dining Room or Ballroom.
4 The Green Drawing Room is
the first of the large and
magnificent state rooms entered
by guests of the Queen at Changing the Guard
royal functions. Visitors can witness the Buckingham Palace
5 The Royal Standard flies grounds guard handing over duty regularly
when the Queen is in residence. throughout the year in a colourful royal military
ceremony (see pp56–9).

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