Buckingham Palace, located in the heart of London, is the official London residence and administrative headquarters of the British monarch. It stands as a symbol of the British monarchy and a significant historical landmark. The palace was built between 1703 and 1705 for the Duke of Buckingham, but it was not until King George III purchased it in 1761 that it became the royal residence. Queen Victoria made significant changes to the palace in the mid-19th century, including the addition of a clock tower, which inspired Big Ben.

The palace covers an area of approximately 77,000 square meters and consists of 775 rooms, including 19 state rooms, 52 royal bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices, and 78 bathrooms. The state rooms are used for official entertaining and are open to the public during August and September each year. Buckingham Palace is also home to the Royal Collection of art and historical items.

The palace has witnessed many important events in British history. For instance, it was from its balcony that King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II watched crowds celebrate VE Day in 1945. Queen Elizabeth II has been residing at Buckingham Palace since her accession to the throne in 1952. She holds numerous official engagements at the palace each year, including investitures and garden parties.

Buckingham Palace remains an iconic symbol of British culture and tradition, attracting millions of visitors annually who come to admire its architecture and learn about its rich history.