When I think of the Buckingham Palace, I think of royalty. I imagine Disney Princesses with beautiful crowns, elegant gowns, and extravagant balls; however, the Buckingham Palace did not have an extravagant start. In 1705, John Sheffield, later the Duke of Buckingham, built the original building that was intended to be a modest, private country-house (“Buckingham Palace, London”; “Buckingham Palace.” History). Sheffield hired John Fitch to build this house “with the assistance of William Talman, Comptroller of the Works to William III, and Captain William Winde, a retired soldier” (“Who Built Buckingham Palace?”; Scheong). This house was later named the Buckingham House in honor of the Duke (Scheong). “After being built for the Duke of
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The new King was “famous for being fat and friendly and for forgetting to button up his waistcoats, [as well as] being something of a party-animal. He loved to entertain” (Scheong). He took it upon himself to redecorate the palace in a white and gold theme that can still be seen in many rooms of the palace today (“Who Built Buckingham Palace?”). He also financed improvements to the heating, ventilation, and electric lighting (“Who Built Buckingham Palace?”). During the reign of King George V in 1913, a smog ruined the outer walls of the palace (Scheong). While King George V was enthroned, it was decided to reface the front of Buckingham Palace (“Who Built Buckingham Palace?”; “History”). Sir Aston Webb was chosen to create the new design; he chose Portland Stone because it was a harder-wearing stone that could withstand the smog (“Who Built Buckingham Palace?”; “History”). After this decision was approved, construction began and lasted 13 weeks. This got the palace completed right before World War I in 1914 …show more content…
One of the more commonly known traditions is the Changing of Guard, which takes place every day at eleven o’clock in forecourt (Barrow; “Buckingham Palace, London”). The royal palaces have been guarded by troops since 1660 (Barrow). In the Changing of Guard ceremony, “a colorfully dressed detachment, known as the New Guard, parades along the Mall towards Buckingham Palace and… replaces the existing, Old Guard” (“Buckingham Palace, London). While this tradition attracts many guests each year, there is a tradition that I believe is more interesting. “A flag always flies above Buckingham Palace. When the Queen is in residence, the Royal Standard flies. When the Sovereign is not present, the Union Flag flies instead. A flag serjeant has the role of raising and lowering the right flag as the Queen arrives at or departs from the Palace” (“40 Facts About Buckingham Palace”). It is a law that the Royal Standard can only be flown over a building in which the Queen is present. It always flies above the Union Flag and is never flown at half-staff
The new King was “famous for being fat and friendly and for forgetting to button up his waistcoats, [as well as] being something of a party-animal. He loved to entertain” (Scheong). He took it upon himself to redecorate the palace in a white and gold theme that can still be seen in many rooms of the palace today (“Who Built Buckingham Palace?”). He also financed improvements to the heating, ventilation, and electric lighting (“Who Built Buckingham Palace?”). During the reign of King George V in 1913, a smog ruined the outer walls of the palace (Scheong). While King George V was enthroned, it was decided to reface the front of Buckingham Palace (“Who Built Buckingham Palace?”; “History”). Sir Aston Webb was chosen to create the new design; he chose Portland Stone because it was a harder-wearing stone that could withstand the smog (“Who Built Buckingham Palace?”; “History”). After this decision was approved, construction began and lasted 13 weeks. This got the palace completed right before World War I in 1914 …show more content…
One of the more commonly known traditions is the Changing of Guard, which takes place every day at eleven o’clock in forecourt (Barrow; “Buckingham Palace, London”). The royal palaces have been guarded by troops since 1660 (Barrow). In the Changing of Guard ceremony, “a colorfully dressed detachment, known as the New Guard, parades along the Mall towards Buckingham Palace and… replaces the existing, Old Guard” (“Buckingham Palace, London). While this tradition attracts many guests each year, there is a tradition that I believe is more interesting. “A flag always flies above Buckingham Palace. When the Queen is in residence, the Royal Standard flies. When the Sovereign is not present, the Union Flag flies instead. A flag serjeant has the role of raising and lowering the right flag as the Queen arrives at or departs from the Palace” (“40 Facts About Buckingham Palace”). It is a law that the Royal Standard can only be flown over a building in which the Queen is present. It always flies above the Union Flag and is never flown at half-staff