You see the gold gates, the fuzzy hats, and the tourists standing three-deep on the Victoria Memorial. It’s easy to think you know the place. Most of us just see the postcard version. But honestly, Buckingham Palace in London is less of a static museum and more of a high-stakes construction site mixed with a functioning corporate headquarters.
It’s actually kinda chaotic.
Right now, in 2026, the palace is in the home stretch of a massive, 10-year "reservicing" project. We're talking about ripping out electrical wiring that hasn't been touched since the 1950s. They've been replacing over 100 miles of cabling and thousands of lead pipes. Why? Because the risk of fire or flood was getting terrifyingly high. If you visit this year, you’re seeing a building essentially being kept on life support while the King still tries to hold garden parties in the backyard.
The Mulberry Mistake and the Duke’s House
Most people assume the British monarchy has lived here forever. Nope. Not even close. Before it was a palace, it was a townhouse built for the Duke of Buckingham in 1703. King George III bought it later because he wanted a quiet family home near St. James’s Palace. He basically bought a "fixer-upper" for his wife, Queen Charlotte.
There is this hilarious bit of history involving King James I and the site's original use. Long before the house existed, he planted a four-acre mulberry garden there. He wanted to start a British silk industry. Great idea, right? Except he ordered the wrong kind of mulberry bushes—black ones instead of white—and the silkworms refused to eat them. The industry failed immediately. Now, the palace just sits on a failed bug farm.
What’s actually inside those 775 rooms?
People throw around the "775 rooms" stat like it’s a trivia answer, but the breakdown is what matters.
- 19 State Rooms: These are the ones you see on TV.
- 52 Royal and guest bedrooms: Not all of them are "fancy."
- 188 staff bedrooms: The palace is a 24/7 operation.
- 92 offices: This is where the paperwork happens.
- 78 bathrooms: Still probably not enough for the thousands of guests who visit.
The White Drawing Room is a fan favorite for a reason. It looks like a standard, albeit incredibly opulent, reception room. But look closely at the furniture. Behind a massive mirror and a cabinet is a secret door. It leads directly to the King's private apartments. It allows the monarch to "teleport" into a room of waiting dignitaries without having to walk through the public hallways.
Why Buckingham Palace in London is basically a small city
You've probably heard it has its own post office. It does. But it also has a doctor’s surgery, a movie theater, and even an ATM in the basement. That ATM belongs to Coutts & Co., the royal family's bank of choice. Honestly, imagine being a staffer and just popping down to the basement to grab 20 quid next to a 300-year-old vault.
👉 See also: Renting a car with credit card: What the Rental Desk Won't Tell You
There is a full-time clockmaker on staff, too. They call them "horological conservators." They have to maintain over 350 clocks and watches throughout the palace. When the clocks change for Daylight Savings, it takes these experts a literal weekend of work just to keep the palace on time.
The 2026 Visit: What’s new?
If you're planning to see Buckingham Palace in London this year, the schedule is pretty specific. The State Rooms are open from July 9 to September 27, 2026.
But here is the real 2026 highlight: The King's Gallery (formerly the Queen's Gallery) is hosting a massive exhibition called Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style. It marks the centenary of her birth. They are showing over 200 items of her clothing, many of which have never been seen by the public. It’s a huge deal for fashion historians and royal nerds alike.
Common Misconceptions (The "Flag" Rule)
You see people arguing about this at the gates all the time.
👉 See also: The Norman Conquest of Southern Italy: How a Few Mercenaries Actually Won a Kingdom
"The Union Jack is flying, so the King is home!"
Wrong.
If the Union Jack (the British flag) is flying, the King is not there. He’s likely at Windsor or Sandringham. You only want to see the Royal Standard—the colorful one with the lions and the harp. If that’s up, he’s in the building.
Is it actually a "Home"?
King Charles has been pretty vocal about the fact that he doesn't view the palace as a modern home. He’s referred to it as "the firm's" headquarters. There’s a lot of talk about him moving toward a model where the palace becomes more of a permanent museum or public space. For now, it remains the official residence, but the "living" happens in a very small corner of that massive 39-acre footprint.
The East Wing—the part with the famous balcony—actually just finished its part of the renovation. It was built by Queen Victoria because she needed more space for her growing family. Before that, the palace was U-shaped and open to the street. Imagine the noise.
Actionable Tips for Your 2026 Visit
Don't just show up and hope for the best. You'll end up disappointed and staring at the back of someone's head.
- The "Secret" View: Skip the center of the crowd at the gates for Changing the Guard. Stand near the Victoria Memorial or, better yet, watch the "New Guard" leave Wellington Barracks. You get the same music and the same uniforms with half the elbows in your ribs.
- Book the East Wing: If they are offering the specific East Wing tours again this year (check the Royal Collection Trust site early), take them. You get to see the behind-the-scenes of the balcony area. It’s much more "real" than the polished State Rooms.
- Security is real: Treat it like an airport. No, seriously. You will go through a metal detector. Don’t bring a giant backpack; they’ll make you check it, and the line to get it back at the end is a nightmare.
- The Royal Mews: If the State Rooms are sold out (and they will be), go to the Royal Mews instead. It’s open from March 5, 2026. You get to see the Gold State Coach. It’s 260 years old and weighs four tons. It’s so heavy it can only be pulled at a walking pace.
Buckingham Palace isn't just a house. It’s a billion-pound infrastructure project, a high-fashion archive, and a failed mulberry farm all rolled into one. It’s weird, it’s expensive, and it’s uniquely London.
Next Steps for Your Trip:
Check the official Royal Collection Trust website immediately to secure your timed entry for the 2026 Summer Opening, as these tickets usually vanish by late spring. If you're visiting before July, prioritize booking the King's Gallery exhibition to see the centenary fashion display before the crowds peak in August.