Another part of my trip to London is a visit to the official residence of her majesty the Queen.
Buckingham Palace has served as the official London residence of Britain's sovereigns since 1837 and today is the administrative headquarters of the Monarch. It is where The Queen carries out her official and ceremonial duties as Head of State of the United Kingdom and Head of the Commonwealth.
Originally known as Buckingham House, it is a symbol and home of the British monarchy, an art gallery and tourist attraction. Behind the gilded railings and gates which were made by the Bromsgrove Guild and Webb's famous façade which has been described in a book published by the Royal Collection as looking "like everybody's idea of a palace"; is not only the weekday home of the Queen and Prince Philip but also the London residence of the Duke of York and the Earl and Countess of Wessex.
The palace also houses the offices of the Royal Household and is the workplace of 450 people.