Throne Room
The Throne Room is a ceremonial space for the royal family. Its walls are adorned with elaborate gold leaf moldings, and the floor is covered in a red and gold carpet. The room features two thrones, known as Chairs of Estate, made from carved and gilded beechwood, and upholstered in crimson silk. The room also holds Queen Victoria’s Throne, which was made in 1837 from gilded wood, upholstered in crimson velvet and lacework, and decorated with a rose for England, a thistle for Scotland and a shamrock for Ireland.
The room was used as the backdrop for the official photos of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s 2011 wedding.
The Ballroom
The largest of all the state rooms at Buckingham Palace at 37m long and 18m wide, the Ballroom was originally named the Ball and Concert Room, and features a musicians’ gallery complete with an organ. Completed in 1855 during the reign of Queen Victoria, today the room is used for official purposes such as investitures and banquets.
By the numbers
*775** rooms, making it one of the largest private residences in the world. This number includes 188 staff bedrooms, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms.
9 times the palace was bombed during the course of World War ll.
1703 the year the palace was built, which was originally known as Buckingham House, for the Duke of Buckingham. George III purchased Buckingham House in 1761 for his wife Queen Charlotte to use as a comfortable family home close to St James’ Palace, but it was Queen Victoria who was the first sovereign to eventually take up residence in 1837.
*325** wild-plant species feature in the palace’s 15-hectare garden, which is described as a “walled oasis in the middle of London”. It boasts 30 species of breeding birds, more than 1000 trees, the enormous Waterloo Vase and a lake. During the reign of George III and his consort Queen Charlotte, the garden was home to a collection of exotic animals, including an elephant and a zebra.
*50,000** people visit the place each year as guests to banquets, lunches, receptions and more.
White Drawing Room
The White Drawing Room is one of the most famous – yet one of the more intimate – state rooms in Buckingham Palace. Its history dates back to the early 19th century, when it was originally known as the Bow Drawing Room. The room was renamed the White Drawing Room in the 1850s, after Queen Victoria ordered its walls to be painted white. The room is decorated in a classic style, with gilded mirrors, ornate chandeliers, and sumptuous white and gold furnishings.It also contains a roll-top desk by Riesener and a dazzling gilded piano by Erard. It was used as the setting for Queen Elizabeth II’s annual Christmas broadcast and is often the backdrop for formal family photos.
Fun fact
When Queen Elizabeth II entered the room, she used to do so via a hidden door disguised as a mirror and cabinet before receiving guests.
