All 12 places, explained
1. Throne Room
The Throne Room is a grand red and gold room used for special ceremonies and royal photographs.
Fun fact Many royal wedding photographs have been taken in the Throne Room.
2. Grand Staircase
Visitors to the State Rooms climb this wide, curving staircase, past portraits of kings and queens.
Fun fact The staircase was designed by the architect John Nash, who rebuilt the palace in the 1820s.
3. Picture Gallery
The Picture Gallery is a long room with a glass roof, so daylight falls on famous paintings from the Royal Collection.
Fun fact It is about 47 meters (154 feet) long.
4. Ballroom
The Ballroom is the biggest room in the palace. It is used for State Banquets, ceremonies and concerts.
Fun fact It opened in 1856, in the time of Queen Victoria.
5. White Drawing Room
The White Drawing Room is a white and gold room where the royal family gathers before big events.
Fun fact It has a secret door hidden behind a mirror and a cabinet.
6. Centre Room
The Centre Room is right behind the famous balcony. Its walls are decorated in a Chinese style.
Fun fact The royal family steps out onto the balcony through the doors of this room.
7. The balcony
The balcony in the middle of the front of the palace is where the royal family waves to the crowds on special days.
Fun fact Queen Victoria was the first to appear on the balcony, in 1851.
8. Behind the scenes
Hundreds of people work in the palace: chefs, cleaners, gardeners, florists and experts who look after treasures.
Fun fact Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms, and only 19 of them are State Rooms.
9. Forecourt
The big courtyard in front of the palace is called the forecourt. Guards in red tunics and tall black hats stand on duty here.
Fun fact The Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place in the forecourt.
10. The palace at dusk
As the sun sets, lights come on in the windows and the stone front of the palace glows in the evening light.
Fun fact When the monarch is at home, the Royal Standard flag flies on the roof.
11. The gardens
Behind the palace is a huge garden with lawns, flower beds, trees and a lake, looked after by a team of gardeners.
Fun fact It is the largest private garden in London, about 39 acres.
12. The household
Getting the palace ready takes teamwork: people clean, cook, polish silver, arrange flowers and set the tables.
Fun fact The people who work for the royal family are called the Royal Household.
