Alright mate, let’s chat about Buckingham Palace. I mean, what a place, right? It’s not just where the Queen allegedly has her tea (a very bad cup when I tried it, if I’m honest), it’s a treasure chest of history, quirks, and slightly odd royal traditions. So, let’s skip past the glitzy façade and jump through a few less-polished gates to discover ten unusual facts about Buckingham Palace that might just knock your socks off. And trust me, you’re gonna want to know these before your next visit.
First up—did you know the official name of the palace isn’t even Buckingham Palace? It’s actually known as "Buckingham House." How cheeky is that? When polo-playing princes kicked off this whole royal residence idea in the 18th century, it wasn’t meant to be the central hub of monarchy. Picture a modest little house where they could throw the odd garden party, then cutting to a few centuries later and BAM! You’ve got the Queen’s official London residence, with a whopping 775 rooms.
The Queen was among the first residents to swap candles for electric lights—way back in 1883! However, it wasn’t just for show. The cost of replacing candles was insane. Imagine the number of candles you’d need for 775 rooms! It’s like budgeting for a festival every day. I once tried to light up my flat with candles during a power cut; honestly, it ended with half-baked baking skills and some burnt biscuits.
The iconic Changing of the Guard is a must-see, of course, with those red coats and bearskin hats that look hot enough to fry an egg on in summer. But did you know those guards can’t move a muscle? One poor lad looked like he was about to topple over during my visit, and let me tell you—the determination was real. It’s a skill to stand still for ages while tourists bombard them with phones. When I visited, I thought I could sneak in a cheeky photo—but alas, I got a stern look that shot right through me. Yikes!
If you’ve ever wondered how many outfits the Queen keeps on hand, prepare yourself—a staggering 3000! Yup, you read that right. That’s like an entire department store just for her! I pondered how she decides what to wear each day. I struggle picking a T-shirt! And if the artwork on her outfits could talk, they’d probably gossip about quite a range of fascinating events.
Most folks know about the ornate ballrooms and lavish gardens, but the back rooms hold some real treasures. The Royal Collection includes more than a million objects! Forget boring old paintings—you’ve got everything from priceless Fabergé eggs (which almost made me egg-cited!) to random plinths from ancient Egypt. I could’ve spent days just wandering through the art. In fact, I nearly missed my tour time because I lost track admiring a vase. Is that a sign I need to sort my priorities? Probably.
This one blew my mind. Buckingham Palace employs its own police! Now, don’t ask me who they prank during their shifts—who knew royal life could be so… well, official? With over 40 acres of gardens (I mean, can you imagine the lawn care?), they need a few bobbies on hand just in case some cheeky picnicker tries a royal picnic in the wrong spot. Finding a cucumber sandwich seems to be an art.
If you’ve ever been around London in June, you might catch sight of the Trooping the Colour, which is an annual celebration of the Queen’s birthday. Trick time! They actually parade for her official birthday in June, but she was born in April. I learned this shocking revelation the hard way—having booked my trip in April, only to find out I missed it by a couple of months. The struggle was real; I even bought a floral dress just for the occasion!
Before dodging to the next point, have you ever wondered where the royal pets go? The palace has its very own vet! Seriously, if you’re planning a holiday to London and you fancy yourself as a cat whisperer, there’s hope yet! During a stroll in the gardens, I swore I saw a corgi peeking out from behind a bush. If only it could invite me for tea!
Groomers for the royals have a rather peculiar job description. Rumour has it, they inspect the hairstyles of royal family members before any important public event. I mean, what does that entitle? "Hmm, I think that bun is far too messy for your upcoming dinner with the Prime Minister"? Can you picture the awkward moments of someone getting a royal ‘do-over? I told my stylist about this, and she gave me the ‘thou shalt never’ look when I suggested I’d be open to royal-makeover tips.
You’d think a place of such grandeur would consume resources like an all-you-can-eat buffet, but nope! Buckingham Palace has taken strides to become a more eco-friendly establishment. With a solar panel installation and an initiative to grow more sustainable gardens, they’ve made strides in becoming ‘green’. I wish I could say the same for my flat, where even my cactus refuses to live despite attempts at responsibility.
So there you have it—ten unusual facts about Buckingham Palace that you probably wouldn’t find in your average guidebook. Each trip I take to London makes me realise how richly layered the history is and how delightful little quirks set these places apart. Whether it’s quirky residents like corgis, a royal wardrobe that could drown anyone, or the realisation that police are on paw patrol, Buckingham has more character than a pub on a Friday night!
What about you? Have you had any delightful mishaps or amusing encounters whilst at Buckingham Palace? Whether it’s a rogue selfie with a guard or confusion over which tea to drink, I want to hear all about it! Drop your stories in the comments!
