Queen’s London home: Royal residences, history, and secrets of the British monarchy

When people talk about the Queen’s London home, the official residence of the British monarch in the heart of London, used for state ceremonies and royal duties. Also known as Buckingham Palace, it’s more than a building—it’s the working center of the monarchy. This isn’t just a fancy house with gold taps. It’s where the Queen received world leaders, hosted royal weddings, and opened her gardens to the public for summer parties. Even now, it’s where the Crown’s daily business happens—from signing laws to meeting ambassadors.

The Buckingham Palace, the primary royal residence in London, housing the monarch’s offices and state rooms sits right in the middle of London’s most famous landmarks. Walk out its gates and you’re face-to-face with Trafalgar Square, London’s public square filled with art, protests, and celebrations, just a few minutes away. A short ride takes you to the Houses of Parliament, the seat of British government, where laws are made and Big Ben chimes. These places aren’t just close—they’re connected. The monarchy doesn’t live in isolation. It’s woven into the city’s rhythm. The Changing of the Guard isn’t a tourist show. It’s a military tradition that’s been running for over 300 years, right outside the palace gates.

But the Queen’s London home isn’t the whole story. The Royal Family splits time between several key spots. When they need quiet, they head to Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, used as a weekend retreat and private residence. It’s where the Queen spent most of her lockdowns and where she was laid to rest. Then there’s Hyde Park, a royal green space where the public gathers for speeches, concerts, and quiet walks. You’ll find royal carriages parked near its gates, but you’ll also find students, joggers, and families. That’s the thing about the monarchy in London—it’s both distant and deeply part of everyday life.

What you won’t find in guidebooks are the little things—the staff who clean the 775 rooms, the chefs who cook for 500 guests at a time, the gardeners who prune the same rose bushes for decades. The Queen’s home isn’t just about grandeur. It’s about routine. About discipline. About a family that lives under the weight of centuries of expectation, right in the middle of one of the world’s busiest cities.

Below, you’ll find real stories from people who’ve visited these places—not just as tourists, but as locals who know where the quiet corners are, who remembers when the palace lights went out during the Blitz, and who still waits for the guard to change even when they’re late. These aren’t just posts about landmarks. They’re about what happens when history lives next door.