It’s one of the most recognisable buildings on earth. Millions of tourists photograph it every year, and almost everyone has an opinion about it. Yet for all its fame, most people know very little about what goes on behind those iconic gates. Here are 9 things about Buckingham Palace that may change how you see it.
It wasn’t built to be a palace — and the first king to commission it never moved in
The official Royal Family website records that the site began as a comfortable family home purchased by King George III in 1761 for his wife Queen Charlotte. It wasn’t transformed into a palace until the 1820s under architect John Nash, then he went so far over budget he was fired. His successor finished the job, but King William IV, who commissioned him, never moved in either. It wasn’t until Queen Victoria arrived in 1837 that a monarch finally called it home.
It has 775 rooms — including a post office, a cinema, a swimming pool, and an ATM
Buckingham Palace contains 775 rooms, including 19 State rooms, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices, and 78 bathrooms. Tucked inside all of that are a cinema, a doctor’s surgery, a jeweller’s workshop, a swimming pool, and a working post office and ATM. Basically it has so much for residents to do that they wouldn’t have to leave often if they didn’t want to!
The swimming pool is an especially beloved part of the palace, and it’s located in the northwest pavilion. It’s highly secluded, and Prince William and Kate’s three children (Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis) learned to swim in the pool, reported The Times.
There’s a secret door hidden behind a mirror, and it leads straight to the King’s private apartments
The Royal Family’s own website confirms that in the White Drawing Room, members of the Royal Family enter via a hidden door disguised as a mirror and cabinet, allowing them to arrive at state events “almost unseen.” The Royal Collection Trust describes it as one of the palace’s most celebrated hidden features. In a building with 775 rooms, somehow this is the most dramatic one.
There’s a 42-acre private garden hiding in the middle of London — and almost nobody sees it
The garden behind Buckingham Palace covers 42 acres, making it the largest private garden in London, complete with a lake, a tennis court, and a helicopter landing pad. Almost all of it stays closed to the public year-round. Three summer garden parties are held there annually for around 30,000 guests, but for everyone else it remains firmly behind the gates.
A teenager broke into Buckingham Palace three times during Queen Victoria’s reign — and once sat on the throne
Historical records cited by The Times show that a 14-year-old named Edward Jones — dubbed “the boy Jones” by newspapers — broke into Buckingham Palace multiple times between 1838 and 1841. On one occasion he was found with Queen Victoria’s underwear stuffed down his trousers. On another occasion, he was discovered hiding under a sofa in the Queen’s dressing room. He was eventually sentenced to hard labour. Some have called him the first celebrity stalker. He was certainly an audacious teenager.
It was bombed nine times during World War II, but the royal family refused to leave
The Royal Collection Trust confirms Buckingham Palace was bombed nine times during the Second World War, with King George VI and Queen Elizabeth present during several raids. The palace chapel was destroyed entirely. Rather than evacuate, the couple chose to remain in their home. The Imperial War Museum records that after one bombing the Queen said: “I am glad we have been bombed. Now we can look the East End in the eye.” The building became a symbol of national resilience after it withstood the bomb damage.
It’s currently getting a $458 million makeover — because nobody updated the plumbing since the 1950s
NBC News reported that a 10-year renovation programme costing £369 million ($458 million) was approved to replace miles of ageing cables, lead pipes, and electrical wiring. Many of these things were untouched since the 1950s. A National Audit Office report found the project is on track to complete on time and on budget, with 82% of operational improvements now finished. The world’s most famous palace was, until recently, running on infrastructure older than most of its visitors.
The King doesn’t actually live there
King Charles III is the first monarch since Queen Victoria in 1837 not to use Buckingham Palace as his primary home, preferring Clarence House while renovations continue. The Royal Family website notes that every year around 50,000 invited guests are still entertained there at garden parties, receptions, and state banquets.
The original architect was fired for going over budget. Nearly 200 years later, history repeated itself
John Nash’s extravagant 1820s transformation of Buckingham House into Buckingham Palace sent costs so far over budget he was removed from the project, according to The New Criterion. Nearly 200 years later, NBC News reported the current renovation was originally budgeted at $458 million, though royal officials noted at the time the real cost was expected to land closer to $275 million once efficiencies were applied.
With three hundred years of history, nine bombings, one fired architect, and a King who’d rather sleep somewhere else, Buckingham Palace is unlike any other royal residence. Something tells me there are many stories about the palace yet to be revealed.
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