Exploring the Depths of Buckingham Palace

Exploring the Depths of Buckingham Palace Interiors The Ballroom * Largest room in the Palace. o* Used for banquets. 36.6 m x 18 m x 13.5 m. * Opened 1856 with a ball to celebrate end of the Crimean War. Chinese Themes * Furniture & décor based on the Oriental-styled rooms at the Royal Pavilion in Brighton. * The Royal Pavilion was sold to fund Buckingham Palace's building. Suites o Visiting heads of state occupy the Belgian suite, situated on the ground floor of the North-facing garden front. * Rooms were decorated for Prince Albert's uncle, Leopold I. Audience Room Where the Queen meets the Prime Minister. * Less formal meetings are often pre-empted by a large buffet! Exteriors Measurements * Total floor area = 77,000 m2. 108 m across the front. o* 120 m deep. * 24 m high. The Royal Balcony * First balcony appearance was Queen Victoria's in 1851. * King George VI introduced the RAF fly-past custom at the end of Trooping the Colour. Changing of the Guard ol Takes place on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace at 11.30 am. A military band plays music during the change. * Music ranges from military marches to ABBA's greatest hits! Garden * Covers 40 acres. * Includes a helicopter landing area, a lake, and tennis court. ol Home to 30 species of bird and 350 types of wild flowers. Key Stats Architect John Nash was responsible for transforming Buckingham House to Buckingham Palace in the 1820s, but was fired for overspending. Buckingham Palace became the official London residence of the monarch in 1837. Buckingham Palace has a total of 775 rooms, including 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices, and 78 bathrooms. Buckingham Palace has the largest private garden in London. Rumours Personal Royal Tube Line? o* There could be a line connecting Buckingham Palace to Scotland, Windsor Castle, or the Houses of Parliament. Escape Routes? * Could be a simple pedestrian tunnel linking to Green Park or 10 Downing Street. * There could be a tunnel giving access to the Victoria Line. SOFA WORKSHOP E: