Buckingham Palace is Queen Elizabeth II's official residence, and has been the official London residence of Britain's sovereign since 1837. It was once a town house owned by the Dukes of Buckingham back in the eighteenth century. George III bought Buckingham House in 1761 for his wife Queen Charlotte to use as a family home near to St James's Palace, where many court functions were held.
The State Rooms at Buckingham Palace have been opening to the public for the Annual Summer opening, in August and September, since 1993, after the fire at Windsor Castle in November 1992. Initially the Summer Opening was considered a way to pay for the damage at Windsor Castle, but it became so popular The Queen has continued to allow visitors every summer. The Queen is not at Buckingham Palace when it is open to the public, she goes to one of her country residences.
The State Rooms are extremely grand, as you would expect. You can see many of the treasures of the Royal Collection: paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, and Canaletto; and beautiful examples of English and French furniture.
