Monarchs of Buckingham Palace: Royals who have lived there

Originally bought by George 3rd from the Duke of Buckingham in 1762, Buckingham Palace holds an important position among the British royals.

Before 1837 when Buckingham Palace became the official seat of the court on Queen Victoria, the palace has remained the base for the Court during the reigns of Edward 7th, George 5th, and Queen Elizabeth 2nd.

Here is a list of royal family members who have stayed in the Buckingham Palace:

1. Queen Victoria

Queen Victoria was the first sovereign to rule from Buckingham Palace after her marriage to Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in 1840.

The Buckingham Palace then became a royal family home and as a place of entertainment and official business.

Over 20 years, the royal couple had transformed the Palace into the centre of an energetic, cosmopolitan court.

2. Queen Elizabeth II

Did you know Queen Elizabeth II carried out her official and ceremonial duties as Head of State of the UK and Head of the Commonwealth in the palace?

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh lived in the private apartments on the north side of the Palace, while rooms on the upper floors of the north and east sides were occupied by other members of the Royal Family.

3. King George V

King George V’s wife, Queen Mary, during her stay, restored Regency character to the rooms after Edwardian alterations made during the reign of King Edward VII.

4. King George VI

The King and Queen stayed at Buckingham Palace during World War Two, leaving the Palace during the evenings to spend them with their daughters, Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret.

It is worth mentioning here that they had been moved to Windsor Castle for safety.

When the war in Europe ended on 8 May 1945, the couple along with their daughters, and the Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill, appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony before huge crowds.

5. King Edward VII

The King and his consort Queen Alexandra were determined to revive the high standards of royal during his short reign from 1901-1910.

Throughout King Edward VII’s reign, the Palace was the focus of fashionable social life in London.