Facts about Buckingham Palace
Most men invited to Buckingham Palace in the daytime choose to wear service uniform or morning coats, and in the evening, depending on the formality of the occasion, black tie or white tie.
Under Victoria, Buckingham Palace was frequently the scene of lavish costume balls, in addition to the routine royal ceremonies, investitures, and presentations.
Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of the British monarch.
The palace is not the monarch's private property; both Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace and their art collections belong to the nation.
Buckingham Palace finally became the official royal palace of the British monarch on the accession of Queen Victoria in 1837.
The Buckingham Palace Gardens are the largest private gardens in London.
Before Prince Albert's death, Queen Victoria was known to openly love music and dancing and the greatest contemporary musicians entertained at Buckingham Palace.
Court functions were still held at Windsor Castle rather than at the palace, presided over by the sombre Queen habitually dressed in mourning black, while Buckingham palace remained shuttered for most of the year.
Buckingham Palace is one of the world's most familiar buildings and more than 50,000 people visit the palace each year as guests to banquets, lunches, dinners, receptions, and the royal garden parties.
Most men invited to Buckingham Palace in the daytime choose to wear service uniform or morning coats, and in the evening, depending on the formality of the occasion, black tie or white tie.
The Forecourt of Buckingham Palace is used for Changing of the Guard, a major ceremony and tourist attraction (daily during the summer months; every other day during the winter).
When widowed in 1861, the grief-stricken Queen withdrew from public life and left Buckingham Palace to live at Windsor Castle, and other estates.
The furnishings, paintings, fittings, and other artifacts, many by FabergŠ¹, from Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle are known collectively as the Royal Collection; owned by the nation, they can be viewed by the public.
The largest and most formal reception at Buckingham Palace takes place every November, when the Queen entertains members of the foreign diplomatic corps resident in London.
Today, Buckingham Palace is not only the weekday home of the Queen and Prince Philip, but also the London residence of the Duke of York and the Earl and Countess of Wessex.