In London, few landmarks carry the weight of history, ceremony, and everyday magic quite like Buckingham Palace. It’s not just another building in the capital-it’s the beating heart of the British monarchy, where queens have ruled, princes have been born, and crowds still gather on summer evenings to catch a glimpse of the Changing of the Guard. For Londoners, it’s as much a part of the city’s rhythm as the Tube, the red buses, and the smell of fresh pastries from a corner bakery in Notting Hill.
More Than a Palace: A Living Home
Buckingham Palace isn’t a museum frozen in time. It’s still an active royal residence. The King and Queen Consort live here, hold official meetings, and host state banquets in the same rooms where Queen Victoria once hosted diplomats and where Princess Diana walked the corridors as a young bride. The palace has 775 rooms-19 state rooms, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices, and 78 bathrooms. That’s more space than most London flats combined.
Unlike the Tower of London or Westminster Abbey, which are open year-round as tourist sites, Buckingham Palace opens its doors to the public only during August and September, when the Royal Family is away at Balmoral. That’s when you can walk through the Grand Staircase, see the Throne Room with its gold-leaf ceilings, and admire the porcelain collection from the Royal Collection Trust-pieces once owned by George IV and now displayed in the Ballroom, where Queen Elizabeth II held her 90th birthday reception.
The Changing of the Guard: A London Tradition
If you’ve ever stood outside Buckingham Palace at 11 a.m., you’ve probably seen it: the slow, precise march of the Redcoats, their bearskin hats bobbing in time with the drumbeat. The Changing of the Guard is one of London’s most iconic rituals-and one of the most misunderstood.
It’s not just for tourists. Locals know the schedule by heart. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, it happens at 10:45 a.m. On other days, it’s at 11 a.m. The ceremony lasts about 45 minutes. The guards come from the Household Division, often soldiers who’ve trained at the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick. They don’t just march for show-they’re fully operational troops. Some have just returned from deployments in Cyprus or the Falklands.
Pro tip: If you want to avoid the crowds, arrive by 10 a.m. and stand near the railings by the Victoria Memorial. You’ll get a better view than the photographers huddled at the palace gates. And if you’re lucky, you might catch the Band of the Household Cavalry playing ‘Rule, Britannia!’-a tune that’s been echoing through these streets since the 18th century.
Behind the Gates: The Grounds and the Gardens
Most people don’t realize that Buckingham Palace has the largest private garden in London. At 39 acres, it’s bigger than Hyde Park’s formal gardens. It’s home to over 350 species of wildflowers, a tennis court used by the Royal Family, and a lake where swans glide past the Royal Greenhouses. In spring, the garden bursts into bloom with tulips from the Netherlands and cherry blossoms planted by Queen Elizabeth II in memory of Prince Philip.
The garden is also where the annual Royal Garden Parties take place. Around 8,000 guests-teachers, nurses, charity workers, local volunteers-are invited each year. These aren’t fancy affairs with champagne towers. They’re quiet, dignified events where the King walks the grounds, shaking hands with people who’ve made a difference in their communities. You won’t find celebrity sightings here. You’ll find a retired postman from Peckham, a school librarian from Camden, and a firefighter from Southwark, all wearing their best hats.
The Palace and the City: A Relationship Like No Other
London’s identity is tied to Buckingham Palace in ways most people don’t notice. The Union Jack flies above it when the King is in residence. When he’s away, the Royal Standard is raised. Locals check the flag like they check the weather. If it’s down, they know the palace is empty-and that’s when the tourists flood in.
During the Platinum Jubilee in 2022, London turned into a sea of bunting. Street parties bloomed from Islington to Lewisham. People lined the Mall, sipping tea from thermoses, waving flags bought from stalls on Oxford Street. At midnight, the palace lit up with projections of the Queen’s face. Thousands stood in silence as the national anthem played. That night, the palace wasn’t just a building-it was a symbol of continuity, of a city that remembers its past even as it races toward the future.
Even the architecture reflects London’s blend of old and new. The palace’s façade, designed by John Nash in the 1820s, was rebuilt after WWII bombings. The East Front, where the balcony appears during royal celebrations, was added in 1913. It’s the same balcony where the Royal Family waves to crowds after royal weddings, coronations, and VE Day celebrations. You can see the same spot from the top of the London Eye-just look north, past the Houses of Parliament, and you’ll spot the gold gates and the white railings.
Visiting Buckingham Palace: What You Need to Know
If you’re planning a visit, here’s what actually matters:
- When to go: The State Rooms are open only from late July to late September. Book tickets online at royalcollectiontrust.org. They sell out fast-especially on weekends.
- How to get there: Take the Tube to Victoria (Victoria Line) or Green Park (Jubilee, Piccadilly, Victoria Lines). Walk 10 minutes past the Ritz and the London Hilton. Avoid driving-the traffic around the palace is worse than at rush hour on the M25.
- What to bring: A light jacket. Even in summer, the palace interiors are cool. No large bags. Security is tight, but not aggressive. They’ve seen it all.
- What to skip: The gift shop. It’s overpriced. Buy a postcard from a kiosk near St. James’s Park instead. They’re cheaper, and the ink doesn’t smudge in the rain.
And if you’re a Londoner who’s never been inside? Do it once. Not because it’s touristy. But because it’s part of your city’s soul.
When the Palace Feels Like Home
Some of the most touching moments in London’s recent history happened right here. After Princess Diana’s death in 1997, thousands left flowers outside the gates. People sang ‘Something Beautiful’ and left handwritten notes. The Queen later said she was moved by the outpouring. The palace, once seen as distant and cold, became a place of public mourning.
Now, every year on the anniversary of her passing, locals still leave a single red rose at the iron gates. No ceremony. No press. Just a quiet tribute. That’s the power of this place. It’s not just stone and gold. It’s memory. It’s belonging. It’s London.
Can you visit Buckingham Palace outside of the summer months?
No, the State Rooms are only open to the public during August and September, when the King is at Balmoral. Outside those months, the palace remains a working royal residence. However, you can still view the exterior and watch the Changing of the Guard year-round.
Is the Changing of the Guard always at 11 a.m.?
Not always. During summer, it’s usually at 11 a.m. daily. But in winter, it’s held every other day-typically on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Always check the official Royal Collection Trust website before heading out, as weather or ceremonial events can change the schedule.
Can you see the Royal Family at Buckingham Palace?
It’s rare, but possible. If the Royal Standard is flying, the King or Queen Consort is in residence. You might spot them arriving or leaving in a car, or see them briefly on the balcony during special occasions like Trooping the Colour. But don’t expect a wave-most royals keep a low profile unless it’s a public event.
Are there free ways to experience Buckingham Palace?
Yes. You can watch the Changing of the Guard for free, stroll through St. James’s Park for views of the palace gates, or visit the Queen’s Gallery next door, which hosts rotating exhibitions from the Royal Collection. Admission to the gallery is charged, but it’s often less than the palace tour and just as rich in history.
Why is Buckingham Palace so important to Londoners?
It’s not just a tourist spot-it’s part of London’s identity. It’s where the city gathers during national moments: coronations, jubilees, weddings, and memorials. Locals know its rhythms-the flag, the guard, the quiet garden parties. It’s a symbol of continuity in a city that changes fast. For many, it’s the one place that still feels like home, no matter how much London evolves.
What’s Next for Buckingham Palace?
With the King now on the throne, the palace is slowly being reshaped to reflect modern Britain. The Royal Collection Trust has started digitizing archives, making historical documents accessible online. New sustainability initiatives are reducing energy use-solar panels were installed on the palace roof in 2024. The gardens now use rainwater harvesting systems. Even the guard’s uniforms are being updated with lighter, more breathable materials.
And as London grows, so does its relationship with the palace. Younger generations, raised on TikTok and Instagram, still line up for the Changing of the Guard-not for nostalgia, but because it’s real. It’s a ritual that hasn’t changed in 200 years, and in a world of fleeting trends, that matters.
So whether you’ve lived in London your whole life or just moved here last month, take a moment to walk down the Mall. Look up at those gates. Listen to the drums. Feel the weight of history-and the quiet pulse of a city that still believes in ceremony, even when the world moves too fast to notice.
