From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Buckingham Palace
is the official
London
residence of the
British monarch
. The
palace
is a setting for state occasions and royal entertaining, and a major tourist attraction. It has been a rallying point for the British people at times of national rejoicing and crisis.Originally known as
Buckingham House
, the building forming the core of today's palace was a large
townhouse
built for the
Duke of Buckingham
in 1703 and acquired by
George III
in 1761 as a private
residence
, known as "The Queen's House". It was enlarged over the next 75 years, principally by
architects
John Nash
and
Edward Blore
, forming three wings around a central courtyard. Buckingham Palace finally became the official royal palace of the British monarch on the accession of
Queen Victoria
in 1837. The last major structural additions were made in the late 19th and early 20th century, including the present-day public face of Buckingham Palace. The building is occasionally still referred to as "Buck House".