Buckingham Palace: The home of the British monarchy

Buckingham Palace is the focal point for many of the UK's most significant state occasions. The Changing the Guard is a popular public spectacle. The palace also hosts State Banquets for visiting Heads of State and Investitures to honor individuals for their contributions. The monarch's official birthday, Trooping the Colour, involves a parade to and from the palace.

The Palace serves as the day-to-day working headquarters of the monarchy. The offices of those who support the activities and duties of The King and The Queen, such as the Private Secretary’s Office and the Privy Purse and Treasurer’s Office, are located there. More than 50,000 guests visit the Palace each year for various receptions and Garden Parties.

While Buckingham Palace is seen as the administrative hub of the Monarchy, it is also very much a family home. Queen Elizabeth II gave birth to King Charles III and Prince Andrew at the Palace, and to this day, notice of royal births and deaths is still attached to the front railings for members of the public to read. The christenings of The King, The Princess Royal, The Duke of York, and The Prince of Wales took place in the Music Room, and many Royal Weddings have been celebrated at Buckingham Palace, most recently The Prince and Princess of Wales’s.

Born on November 14, 1948, at Buckingham Palace, King Charles III became The King on September 8, 2022, following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. As the sovereign's eldest son, he became heir apparent at the age of three in 1952. In 1981, he married Lady Diana Spencer, and they had two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. The marriage was dissolved in 1996. In 2005, he married Camilla Parker Bowles, who is now Queen Camilla.

Born on July 17, 1947, Queen Camilla (formerly The Duchess of Cornwall) is the daughter of Major Bruce Shand and Rosalind Cubitt. On April 9, 2005, she married the then-Prince of Wales. Before her marriage to King Charles III, she was married to Brigadier Andrew Parker Bowles, with whom she has two children. Upon King Charles’ accession to the throne in 2022, she became Queen Consort and is now known as Queen Camilla. The Queen supports her husband, The King, in his official duties and undertakes her own public engagements.

The Prince of Wales, William, is the heir to the British throne. He is the eldest son of King Charles III and Diana, Princess of Wales. He is married to Catherine, The Princess of Wales, and they have three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Prince William performs public duties in support of The King both in the UK and overseas. He served in the British Armed Forces for over seven years and continues to focus on the welfare of armed forces personnel.

Born Catherine Elizabeth Middleton, she married The Prince of Wales, William, at Westminster Abbey in 2011. They have three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. As well as supporting the monarch with royal duties in the UK and overseas, she focuses her work on a number of charitable causes. In 2021, she launched The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood to drive awareness and action in this area. She also spearheads the "Heads Together" campaign with her husband.

Known for her exceptionally busy schedule, The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, is considered the hardest-working member of the Royal Family. She began her public duties at the age of 18 and has since been involved with over 300 charities and organizations, both in the UK and overseas. An accomplished horsewoman, Princess Anne was the first member of the Royal Family to compete in the Olympics, representing Great Britain in the equestrian three-day event at the 1976 Montreal Games.

The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, is the younger son of King Charles III and the late Diana, Princess of Wales. He served in the British Armed Forces for 10 years, including two tours of duty in Afghanistan. He is the founder of the Invictus Games, an international adaptive sporting event for wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women. The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan, is a former American actress known for her role in the television series Suits. In 2020, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back as working members of the Royal Family. They married in 2018 and have two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet of Sussex.

Prince Edward, The Duke of Edinburgh, supports the monarchy through a busy schedule of official duties, alongside his wife, The Duchess of Edinburgh. The Duke of Edinburgh has a long-standing involvement with The Duke of Edinburgh's Award, a youth program founded by his father, Prince Philip, in 1956. The Duke's work also focuses on causes related to the arts, youth development, and sport.

The Duchess of Edinburgh, Sophie, is a full-time working member of the Royal Family, dedicating her time to supporting The King and her own extensive list of patronages. She is Patron of over 70 charities and organizations, with a focus on gender equality & women's rights, avoidable blindness, and support for people with disabilities. She also holds several honorary military appointments.

Prince Richard, The Duke of Gloucester, is the late Queen Elizabeth II's cousin and a full-time working member of the Royal Family. He carries out a significant number of public duties in support of King Charles III and his role as Head of State. He is associated with over 150 charities and organizations, with a particular interest in architecture and conservation.

The Duchess of Gloucester, Birgitte, is a full-time working member of the Royal Family. Married to Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, she supports The King and her husband in their duties. The Duchess is connected with over 60 organizations, and her work focuses on a wide range of areas, including the arts, sport, health, education, and the military. She travels extensively across the UK and overseas to carry out engagements on behalf of the Crown and her patronages.

Prince Edward, The Duke of Kent, is a first cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II and has been a working member of the Royal Family since 1976. He is involved with over 140 charities and organizations, with a strong focus on commemorating the war dead. The Duke is also well-known for his role as President of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, a position he held for over 50 years until he stepped down in 2021. He also previously served as Vice Chairman of British Trade International.

Princess Alexandra is a first cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II and a working member of the Royal Family. She has dedicated her life to public service, supporting numerous charities and organizations as a Patron or President. She has a strong interest in medical and welfare causes, especially cancer research, mental health, and palliative care. She also represented Queen Elizabeth II on official overseas visits, including the Nigerian Independence celebrations in 1960.