In London, few sights carry the weight of history and pageantry like Buckingham Palace. It’s not just a building on a map-it’s the beating heart of the British monarchy, a symbol that rises above the fog of the Thames and the rush of Piccadilly. For Londoners, it’s part of the daily rhythm: the sound of hooves at dawn, the crowd gathering at the railings, the flags fluttering above the balconies when the King is in residence. For visitors, it’s the postcard moment. For everyone who lives here, it’s home to something deeper-a living tradition that threads through the city’s soul.
Every morning, the palace staff begin their routines long before the gates open to the public. The kitchens serve breakfast to the royal family at 8 a.m., while the gardeners prune the 39-acre grounds-home to over 350 species of plants, including the original apple tree planted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. Even the pigeons have their place; the palace has a long-standing policy of humane pigeon control, managed by a local falconer from Kent who’s been doing it for 22 years.
For Londoners, the best spot isn’t the front railing-it’s the side steps of the Victoria Memorial, just behind the palace. You get the full view without the crush. Arrive by 10:15 a.m. if you want a good spot on a weekday. On Sundays, the ceremony moves to Horse Guards Parade near Whitehall, where the music is louder and the crowd thinner. And if you’re lucky, you might spot the Household Cavalry’s mounted soldiers in their shiny black helmets, riding in from St. James’s Palace.
And don’t miss the garden. It’s the largest private garden in London, with a lake, a tennis court, and a helipad. In 2022, the Queen hosted the Platinum Jubilee picnic here, inviting 10,000 community volunteers who’d been nominated by local councils across the UK. That’s the thing about this place-it’s not just for royalty. It’s for the people who keep London running: the bus drivers, the nurses from St. Thomas’ Hospital, the shopkeepers from Covent Garden.
For locals, the palace isn’t just a landmark-it’s a calendar marker. The Trooping the Colour in June, the State Opening of Parliament in November, the Remembrance Day service at the Cenotaph-these all begin or end with the palace as the focal point. Even the Queen’s funeral procession in 2022 passed down the Mall, past the very railings where thousands stood in silence, holding cups of tea from the nearby café.
Or take the 20-minute walk down to the Royal Mews. There, you’ll find the Gold State Coach, used for coronations since 1762. It’s pulled by eight Windsor Grey horses, each weighing over 1,500 pounds. The coach itself weighs four tons. And yes, the horses still wear their ceremonial harnesses-hand-stitched leather with silver filigree, made by a workshop in Northampton that’s been in business since 1840.
When the King steps onto the balcony on the anniversary of his coronation, the crowd below doesn’t just cheer for him. They cheer for the city they live in. For the tradition that outlives governments. For the quiet dignity that still holds this place together, even as the world rushes past.
No. The palace is only open to the public during the summer months, usually late July to late September, when the monarch is away. During that time, you can tour the State Rooms, the Royal Collection exhibitions, and the gardens. Outside of summer, you can only see the exterior, but you can still watch the Changing of the Guard, which happens daily in summer and every other day in winter.
No. London has several royal residences. St. James’s Palace, built in 1536, is still the ceremonial headquarters of the monarchy. Kensington Palace, where the Prince and Princess of Wales live, is open to the public year-round and houses the Royal Fashion Collection. Clarence House, next to St. James’s, is the official London home of the King and Queen Consort. Each has its own history and public access rules.
Skip the front gate. Head to the Victoria Memorial, just behind the palace, for a clear, elevated view of the facade. For photos without people, go early in the morning before 9 a.m. or visit on a rainy weekday-locals know it’s the quietest time. The south side of Green Park, near the Albert Memorial, also offers a peaceful, unobstructed view with fewer tourists.
Rarely, and never up close. The royal family uses the palace as a private home. You might see them briefly on the balcony during official events like Trooping the Colour or the State Opening of Parliament. On rare occasions, they wave from the front steps after a state visit. But you won’t spot them shopping or walking the grounds. Privacy is strictly guarded.
Absolutely. Big Ben and the London Eye are icons. Buckingham Palace is a living institution. You’re not just looking at a building-you’re standing where history unfolds. The palace tells the story of Britain’s monarchy, its wars, its celebrations, and its quiet resilience. The Queen’s Gallery alone has over 400 artefacts on rotating display-many never seen outside the royal collection. It’s the only place in London where you can walk through rooms that hosted Churchill, Mandela, and the Queen’s first televised Christmas message.
If you’re in London and want to understand what makes this city tick, start here. Not because it’s grand, but because it’s real. It’s been here longer than the Underground, longer than the Shard, longer than the pubs that still serve bitter on tap in Soho. It’s the quiet constant in a city that never stops moving.
