Buckingham Palace is the London residence and administrative headquarters of the monarch of the United Kingdom. located in the City of Westminster, the palace is often at the centre of state occasions and royal hospitality. It has been a focal point for the British people at times of national rejoicing and mourning. Quenn Victoria was the first sovereign to live there.

The palace was a large townhouse built for the Duke of Buckingham in 1703 on a site that had been in private ownership for at least 150 years. It was acquired by King George III in 1761 as a private residence for Queen Charlotte and became known as The Queen's House. Buckingham Palace became the London residence of the British monarch on the accession of Queen Victoria in 1837.

During the Second World War, which broke out in 1939, the palace was bombed nine times. One bomb fell in the palace quadrangle while George VI and Queen Elizabeth (the future Queen Mother) were in the palace, and many windows were blown in and the chapel destroyed.

It is the administrative headquarters of the Monarch.Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms. These include 19 State rooms, 52 Royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms. More than 50,000 people visit the Palace each year as guests to State banquets, lunches, dinners, receptions and Garden Parties.

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Buckingham Palace