Did you know that Queen Victoria had an intruder no fewer than three times while she lived in the palace?
Buckingham Palace is perhaps one of the most beautiful palaces in Europe. That’s why we decided to dig a little deeper into the history and found some fun facts. Did you know, for example, that more than 300 people work in the royal court every day? We tell you all the ins and outs.
1. It is named after a politician
John Sheffield was a politician and became Duke of Buckingham in 170. He had Buckingham House built as a residence to stay in when he was in London. It only really became a palace when architect John Nash gave it a makeover in 1820. However, he was fired because he went way over budget…
2. Queen Victoria had an intruder when she lived in the palace
He is known in the press as ‘the boy Jones’ – Edward Jones was arrested three times because he managed to sneak into the palace several times. He stole food, clothing, and said he had sat on the throne. Ultimately he was deported to Brazil. He escaped there and came back, was captured again and was imprisoned on a ship for six years. Then he was sent to Australia. Difficult boy…
3. The palace is not only home to the royals
More than 800 staff members live there, including a clockmaker. It is actually quite busy, as there are 350 clocks and watches in the palace. They are wound up every week by two curators, who work full time to keep the clocks ticking.
4. The large Ballroom is the showpiece
It is the largest room in the palace, (36.6 meters long, 18 meters wide and 13.5 meters high). The first event ever celebrated there was the end of the Crimean War in 1856. But the palace is not just ballrooms and banquet areas, there is also a post office, police station, operating room, cinema and swimming pool.
5. We work hard to keep it light
All 760 windows are cleaned every 6 weeks. The large ballroom was the first room to receive electricity in 1883. It then took about four years before all rooms were equipped with electricity.
6. There are secret tunnels
It can be even more exciting: there are tunnels under the palace that lead to the nearest streets. Once upon a time, a man from Newcastle lived there for a while without anyone knowing.
7. You know when the Queen is home
When the Queen is present, the royal standard flies on the center pavilion; if she is not there, the Union Jack is hoisted.
Image: NL Image
