Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace, located in London, England, has not always looked as it does today. It was originally a townhouse built by John Sheffield, the Duke of Buckingham. Queen Anne granted him the land in 1703, and the house became known as Buckingham House. George III bought Buckingham House in 1762 for £28,000, and renamed it Queen's House. On becoming King in 1820, George III decided to tun the house into a palace. The palace was remodeled again when Queen Victoria and Prince Albert needed nurseries and bedrooms for guests. A fourth wing was added and this turned the Palace into a quadrangle. Then, there wasn't enough room for grand entertainments, so in 1853-55, Queen Victoria ordered the 122 foot long, 60 foot wide, and 45 foot tall ballroom built. After the death of Queen Victoria, the palace became what it is today with the addition of the wrought iron and bronze gates in 1911 and other minor landscaping. Tourists can now visit the palace and see the changing of the guards. The changing of the guards takes place every other day (every day from April to the end of June) at 11:30. Its gets very crowded, so you must get there early to get a good spot.
Mandy Hayden