Buckingham Palace serves as both the office and London residence of Her Majesty The Queen.

It is one of the few working royal palaces remaining in the world today.

Originally known as Buckingham House, the building which forms the core of today's palace was a large townhouse built for the Duke of Buckingham in 1703 on a site which had been in private ownership for at least 150 years.

During the summer, visitors can tour the nineteen State Rooms, which form the heart of the Palace.

These magnificent rooms are decorated with some of the greatest treasures from the Royal Collection, including paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens and Canaletto and sculpture by Canova.

A Royal Day Out ticket gives admission to The State Rooms, The Royal Mews and The Queen Room.
Today the State Rooms are used extensively by The Queen and Members of the Royal Family to receive and entertain their guests on State, ceremonial and official occasions. During August and September when The Queen makes her annual visit to Scotland, the Palace's nineteen state rooms are open to visitors.