Buckingham Palace is the London residence and principal workplace
of the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom.Located in the City of
Westminster, the palace is often at the centre of state occasions and
royal hospitality. It has been a focus for the British people at times of
national rejoicing. Originally known as Buckingham House, the building
which forms the core of today's palace was a large townhouse built for
the Duke of Buckingham in 1703. It was subsequently acquired by King
George III in 1761 as a private residence for Queen Charlotte and was
known as "The Queen's House".