21 Fact about Buckingham Palace

Here are 21 interesting facts about Buckingham Palace that you might not have known:

1. Buckingham Palace wasn’t always a palace! Built in 1703, Buckingham Palace began as a grand residence for the Duke of Buckingham. In 1762, King George III bought it for his wife Queen Charlotte, and it became known as the Queen’s House.
2. Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms. There are 19 State Rooms, 52 Royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices, and 78 bathrooms. Buckingham Palace is not actually that big. It only ranks 13th on the list of largest palaces in the world.
3. The palace has a post office! It’s the only one that isn’t red and that has its own crown-shaped stamp.
4. Buckingham Palace has its own ATM machine. It’s located within the palace walls for the convenience of the royal family and staff.
5. There’s a 20-mile private road that runs from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle. They call it the Long Walk.
6. Buckingham Palace garden parties are a grand affair, drawing in over 8,000 attendees each year.
7. The flagpole on top of Buckingham Palace is 30 meters tall. Seeing the Royal Standard flying means the monarch is currently staying there.
8. The balcony at Buckingham Palace is where the royal family makes public appearances. It’s been the scene of many iconic moments, including the Queen’s coronation speech in 1953 and the royal wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton in 2011.
9. The palace has a cinema! Built in 1929, it can accommodate groups of up to 44.
10. There’s a swimming pool at Buckingham Palace. Installed in 1932 by King George VI, the palace’s indoor pool offers a surprising twist: it’s the only area where staff can address members of the royal family by their first names.
11. The palace has its own doctor’s surgery. The Queen’s Physician is responsible for the health of the royal family.
12. Buckingham Palace has a flock of pigeons that live on the roof. The tradition of keeping pigeons at the palace dates back to the reign of Queen Victoria.
13. The palace has a full-time clockmaker. The Royal Clockmaker is responsible for maintaining the over 400 clocks at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, and other royal residences.
14. Buckingham Palace boasts a team of over 30 skilled chefs. They prepare all the meals for the royal family and their guests.
15. Every year, about 50,000 visitors tour the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace.
16. The palace has a collection of over 7000 paintings. The collection includes works by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Canaletto.
17. There’s a 20-acre garden behind Buckingham Palace. The garden is home to over 30 different types of trees and over 300 varieties of wildflowers.
18. The palace has its own cricket ground. The Royal Cricket Club has its own cricket pitch nestled inside the Buckingham Palace grounds
19. Buckingham Palace is the only royal palace in the world that has a working ATM machine.
20. The palace has a movie theater. Dating back to 1929, the theater offers intimate screenings for small audiences of up to 44.
21. Buckingham Palace is the focal point of the annual Trooping the Colour ceremony, which celebrates the birthday of the monarch.