* It was originally built in the 1703 as a house for the Duke of Buckingham, then in the late 1700s, George IV had John Nash, an architect, build a new palace around the house.

 

* Over 50,000 people visit the Palace each year as guests to banquets, garden parties, and other types of receptions.

 

* The State Rooms inside Buckingham Palace almost look more like an art gallery or museum - they're filled with tons of incredible paintings.  During August and September, while the royal family is elsewhere, you can take a tour of the state rooms (for a nice price, of course).

 

* The Changing of the Guard happens at 11:30am every day during the summer and every other day the rest of the year.  If you want to check it out, I'd get there nice and early so you get a spot with a decent view, and it lasts like 45 minutes.  (But if you ask me, I think it's a bit much, when all that really happens is that 2 people change places.  I mean, they have a whole procession of guards on horses and a marching band...  I'm all for tradition and history, but be prepared for a lot of pomp and circumstance if you plan on checking it out.)

 

* Opposite Buckingham Palace, you'll notice a big statue - its the Queen Victoria Memorial (seen in the picture below).  In 1837, Queen Victoria made Buckingham Palace the main London residence for the royal family.

 

 

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