Buckingham Palace – also called "Buck House" or simply "The Palace" - is the official residence of the British monarch in London, England and a major tourist attraction. This impressive London Palace is the scenery for state occasions and the base for officially visiting Heads of State.

Buckingham Palace used to be a huge townhouse built for the Duke of Buckingham in 1703 and in 1762 it was acquired by King George III as a private residence. The original house was restored and enlarged over the next 75 years, building several wings around a beautiful central courtyard. During 19th and 20th century some major structural additions were made to the Palace - the State entrance, Marble Arch, was taken near Speakers' Corner in Hyde Park and the existing public face of Buckingham Palace was finished, including its famous balcony. The Palace became the official royal palace of the British monarch on the accession of Queen Victoria in 1837, who was the first monarch to officially reside at Buckingham Palace.