Buckingham Palace is the London home of the Queen of the United Kingdom, Queen Elizabeth II. When the Queen is in residence, the Union Jack flag flies above the Palace. The Palace has over 600 rooms however only a few are occupied by the Queen and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh. During the late summer months, the state apartments are open to the public however rooms are limited and the Queen is not in residence while the palace is open to the public. Also in summer, the Queens hosts many garden parties in the extensive grounds to the back of the palace. In front of the palace the famous ceremony of the Changing of the Guard takes place.

Many a postcard sent from London details images of the Queens guards dressed in the bright red uniforms and bearskin whilst the pomp of the royal music, the marching and shouting of the sergeant major characterise the whole ceremony.

The road leading west from the palace is called Birdcage Walk and passes the splendour of Green Park to Hyde Park Corner. The road leading north is the Mall connecting the palace with Trafalgar Square and along which world leaders and dignitaries have passed en route to Buckingham Palace during a state visit.