The British Royal family are perhaps the most famous family in the world. Since the eleventh century London has been the Seat of the Monarch. The family have several residences in London with many open to the public. Currently King Charles III is the British monarch. He is head of the British constitutional government, the Church of England, British Armed Forces and the Commonwealth. He and his family undertake ceremonial, diplomatic and representative duties. King Charles can be seen Opening the British Parliament, receiving foreign leaders and hosting garden parties at his London home Buckingham Palace.
One of the earliest London residences is The Tower of London, built in the eleventh century by William the Conqueror it is the earliest serving Palace / Fortress built in the United Kingdom. It contains accommodation for the King William, prison accommodation and a chapel. It is one of the most visited palaces in London and impresses today with its white building and huge strength.
St James’s Palace was the residence for Kings and Queens for three hundred years up until the reign of Queen Victoria when Buckingham Palace was built as her London residence. St James was built in the sixteenth century by Henry VIII. The Gatehouse, Chapel Royal several Tudor rooms survive. The building is still used for special occasions including the ‘Lying in State’ of Princess Diana following her death. It is also used for Royal baptisms such as Prince George’s in 2013 and large State occasions.
Nearby Buckingham Palace and Clarence House are both official London residences of King Charles. Buckingham Palace and its gardens are open to the public. It is also at Buckingham Palace where visitors can watch the ceremony of the Changing of the Guard where the Kings Guard’s change shifts to protect Buckingham Palace and St. James Palace.
Lesser know Kensington Palace is the official residence of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children. Built in 1602 the palace is set in a park which contains a newly built Memorial Garden to Princess Diana where a statute to the Princess has been commissioned by Prince William and Prince Harry. Kensington Gardens is the park surrounding Kensington Palace. It is a much used London park with gardens, galleries and pleasant walks. As with the other London palaces, Kensington Palace contains a wealth of art treasures for the visitor to enjoy.
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