History of Buckingham Palace in Timeline
Buckingham Palace, a royal residence and administrative headquarters of the UK monarch, is located in London's City of Westminster. The palace serves as a central location for state events and royal hospitality. It also holds a special place in the hearts of the British people, uniting them during moments of national celebration and grief.
1901: Redesign of Buckingham Palace
In 1901, King Edward VII redecorated Buckingham Palace in the Belle Époque cream and gold color scheme. This redecoration was part of his efforts to make the palace a setting for entertainment on a majestic scale, reflecting his prominent position in London high society.
1910: George V Becomes King
George V ascended to the throne in 1910, succeeding his father, Edward VII.
1911: Completion of Buckingham Palace's Gilded Railings and Gates
In 1911, the Bromsgrove Guild completed the intricate gilded railings and gates that enclose Buckingham Palace, adding to the grandeur and exclusivity of the royal residence.
1911: Completion of The Mall
The Mall, a majestic ceremonial route leading to Buckingham Palace, was completed in 1911 as a grand tribute to Queen Victoria, transforming the landscape and solidifying the palace's central role in royal events.
1911: Delhi Durbar Canopy Installed in Ballroom
The grand velvet canopy, known as a shamiana or baldachin, used at the 1911 Delhi Durbar was installed in the Buckingham Palace Ballroom, adding a touch of imperial splendor to the space.
1913: East Front Redesigned
In 1913, Aston Webb redesigned the East Front of Buckingham Palace to resemble Giacomo Leoni's Lyme Park in Cheshire. The new Portland stone façade was designed to complement the Victoria Memorial, a large statue of Queen Victoria erected outside the main gates.
1914: Unauthorized Entries at Buckingham Palace Begin
Since 1914, there have been at least 12 recorded instances of individuals gaining unauthorized access to Buckingham Palace or its grounds, highlighting ongoing security concerns surrounding the royal residence.
1914: World War I Begins
World War I began in 1914. During this time, Buckingham Palace's valuable contents were evacuated to Windsor, but the royal family remained in residence.
1918: World War I Ends
World War I ended in 1918. Buckingham Palace remained unscathed during the war.
1919: First Jazz Performance for a Head of State
In 1919, Buckingham Palace hosted the first jazz performance for a head of state, featuring the Original Dixieland Jazz Band.
1932: Jazz Performances at Buckingham Palace
Sidney Bechet and Louis Armstrong performed jazz at Buckingham Palace in 1932.
1936: Edward VIII Occupies Belgian Suite
In 1936, the Belgian Suite at Buckingham Palace was temporarily transformed into the private apartments of Edward VIII, signifying a shift in royal living arrangements.
1936: Relaxation of Formal Court Dress Code
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth ushered in a more relaxed approach to formal court attire in 1936, allowing for shorter hemlines in daytime skirts and reflecting evolving social norms.
1938: Northwest Pavilion Converted
In 1938, the northwest pavilion of Buckingham Palace, originally designed as a conservatory, was converted into a swimming pool.
1939: World War II Begins
World War II commenced in 1939, marking a period of global conflict.
September 1940: German Bomber Rammed
In September 1940, during the Battle of Britain, an RAF pilot, Ray Holmes, rammed a German bomber that he believed was targeting Buckingham Palace. This act of bravery prevented potential damage to the palace.
1940: Buckingham Palace Bombed
In 1940, during World War II, Buckingham Palace was bombed, resulting in the destruction of the palace chapel. This event was widely publicized to demonstrate the shared hardships faced by people of all social classes.
May 1945: VE Day Celebrations
On VE Day, 8 May 1945, Buckingham Palace became the focal point of British celebrations. The King, Queen, Princess Elizabeth, and Princess Margaret appeared on the balcony, signifying the end of World War II in Europe.
1958: Abolition of Débutante Presentation Parties
Queen Elizabeth II revolutionized royal social events in 1958 by abolishing the traditional presentation parties for débutantes and replacing them with more inclusive Garden Parties, marking a significant shift in royal protocol and social customs.
1962: King's Gallery Opens
In 1962, the King's Gallery was built on the site of the palace chapel, which had been destroyed during World War II, and was opened to the public to exhibit works of art from the Royal Collection.
1968: Exemption from Race Relations Act
In 1968, Charles Tryon, 2nd Baron Tryon, sought an exemption for Buckingham Palace from the full implementation of the Race Relations Act 1968. This exemption aimed to limit the legal recourse for complaints of racism within the royal household.
1970: Grade I Listed Building
In 1970, Buckingham Palace was officially designated as a Grade I listed building, recognizing its exceptional architectural and historical significance.
1982: Michael Fagan's Intrusions at Buckingham Palace
Michael Fagan gained notoriety in 1982 by breaking into Buckingham Palace on two separate occasions, including an incident where he entered Queen Elizabeth II's bedroom, sparking widespread discussions about royal security protocols.
1992: Windsor Castle Fire
Windsor Castle suffered a major fire in 1992, causing significant damage to many of its state rooms.
1993: State Rooms Open to the Public
Buckingham Palace's state rooms were opened to the public for visits during August and September, as well as on selected dates throughout the year, starting in 1993. The revenue generated from entry fees was initially allocated to support the rebuilding of Windsor Castle following a fire in 1992.
2004: Energy Fund Claim Rejected
In 2004, Buckingham Palace's attempt to obtain funding from the community energy fund for heating purposes was rejected. The decision was influenced by concerns about potential negative public reaction.
2005: Ray Holmes Dies
Ray Holmes, the RAF pilot who rammed a German bomber in 1940 to protect Buckingham Palace, passed away in 2005 at the age of 90.
2007: Trespassing on Palace Grounds Criminalized
In 2007, trespassing on the grounds of Buckingham Palace was officially designated as a criminal offense, reflecting increased measures to protect the royal residence and its occupants.
2009: Nomination for Blue Plaque
Buckingham Palace was nominated for a Blue Plaque by the Brecon Jazz Festival in 2009, recognizing its contribution to jazz music in the United Kingdom.
2012: Michael Fagan Clarifies 1982 Palace Intrusion
In a 2012 interview, Michael Fagan clarified the events of his 1982 intrusion into Queen Elizabeth II's bedroom at Buckingham Palace, stating that the Queen immediately left the room and no conversation occurred, challenging previous media narratives about the incident.
2015: State Dining Room Closed
The State Dining Room at Buckingham Palace was closed for a year and a half starting in 2015 due to concerns about the structural integrity of its ceiling.
November 2016: Maintenance Work Approved
A 10-year maintenance plan for Buckingham Palace, estimated to cost £369 million, was approved by the prime minister in November 2016. This plan encompassed various upgrades, including plumbing, wiring, boilers, radiators, and the installation of solar panels.
March 2017: Visitor Statistics
In the year leading up to March 2017, Buckingham Palace received 580,000 visitors, while the King's Gallery had 154,000 visitors.
2017: Funding Approved for Maintenance
In 2017, the House of Commons voted in favor of funding the extensive maintenance project for Buckingham Palace, with 464 votes supporting the measure and 56 opposing it.
2023: Duke of York Vacates Buckingham Palace Residence
In 2023, the Duke of York ceased to reside at Buckingham Palace, marking a change in the occupancy of the royal residence.
