Buckingham Palace: Where Royal Waves Meet Tourist Selfies 👑📸

(Yes, that iconic palace with the gold railings, the royal waves, and the tourist selfies galore!)

Welcome aboard our quirky, fun-loving royal tour of the magnificent Buckingham Palace — where history meets pomp, and palace guards meet tourist selfies. Grab your camera (or your phone), switch off your “work mode”, and let’s stroll through the grandeur, the fun facts, the royal quirks and a little bit of how you can stay connected from India or anywhere with a clever bit of tech via Commbitz eSIM. (Yes, you heard that right—I told you it’d be quirky.)

1. Why Buckingham Palace is more than just a pretty façade

Imagine: 775 rooms, a royal garden, a balcony famous the world over—and the constant presence of pomp, ceremony and regal tradition. The Palace is the official London residence and administrative headquarters of the UK monarch. 

It’s not just a tourist backdrop—it’s a working royal building. Every year, the Palace hosts state banquets, foreign dignitaries, garden parties for the public, and daily work for the monarchy. (The Royal Family)

So when you walk by, yes you’re seeing something majestic—but also something alive, still in use, still a royal residence.

2. A breezy walk through its history

• Originally built in 1703 as Buckingham House for the Duke of Buckingham.
  
• Acquired by King George III in 1761 as a private residence for Queen Charlotte.
  
• In the 19th century, architects like John Nash and Edward Blore transformed it into the palace we recognize today—with three wings around a central courtyard.
• In 1837, with Queen Victoria’s accession, Buckingham Palace officially became the London residence of the monarch.
  
• The rest, as they say, is royal legend, pageantry—and an art-filled interior with over 775 rooms.
  

So the next time you admire its façade, remember: behind the golden gates is centuries of transformation, monarchy, and “royal duties” in full swing.

3. Top highlights & fun things to spot

Here are the bits that will make your visit pop (and the ones you’ll want to Instagram).

The State Rooms

Open only part of the year to the public, these lavish rooms include the Throne Room, Picture Gallery, Grand Staircase and more.

The Balcony

The iconic spot where the royal family appears on major occasions. According to the official site: “The balcony … first used in 1851”. 

The Garden

Yes—the Palace has a garden. Not just any garden: the largest private garden in London. Featuring lakes, tennis courts, wild flower borders and summer parties. 

The Changing of the Guard

Spectacular, colourful, ceremonious. A must-see (and free!) for visitors at the forecourt of Buckingham Palace. (Tripadvisor)

Fun quirks to spot

• 775 rooms: 19 State Rooms, 52 royal & guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices, 78 bathrooms.
  
• The palace might even have a post office, a swimming pool, a jeweller’s workshop. Yep, you read that right.
  

4. Tips for your visit (and how Commbitz eSIM helps!)

Planning to visit? Great! Here’s the practical side—with a little tech twist.

Visiting tips

• Book ahead: pre-booking tickets is essential when the Palace is open to the public.
  
• Arrive early: arrive around 15 minutes before your ticketed entry time.
  
• Security check: expect airport-style security. Large bags and certain items aren’t allowed.
  
• No photography inside (for the State Rooms). You can take photos in the Garden during the Summer Opening.
  
• For children/families: There are accessible routes, baby care facilities—but push-chairs might be checked in.
  
• Wear comfy shoes: if you plan to tour the Garden and walk the route—there’s gravel paths.
  

How Commbitz eSIM fits into your trip

Imagine you’re travelling to London from India (or anywhere). You want to stay connected—share those guard-changing videos, snap selfies at the balcony, upload stories while sipping tea. But roaming charges? Nope. SIM swaps? Ugh.

Enter Commbitz eSIM. With an eSIM plan, you can:

• Activate data instantly—no physical SIM card required.
  
• Use your phone from the airport all the way to the Palace and beyond.
  
• Save hassles: no queue at the shop, no fiddling with hardware.
  
• Keep your original Indian SIM if you like; eSIM runs in parallel in many phones.
  
• Access stories, maps, bookings, uploads—all while walking through royal corridors.
  

So when you’re standing in front of Buckingham Palace, you’ll still be “online”, sharing, streaming, and staying connected—seriously royal-level access.

5. Fun facts you can drop at parties

Because you’re going to want to impress people.

• The Palace has 775 rooms. According to VisitLondon: “19 State Rooms, 52 royal & guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices, 78 bathrooms.” (visitlondon.com)
  
• The site was once a mulberry garden planted by King James I (for silkworms!).
• The Picture Gallery is 47 metres long and houses masterpieces by Rembrandt, Rubens, Vermeer and more.
  
• The forecourt’s famous balcony first featured a Royal wave in 1851 by Queen Victoria for the Great Exhibition.
  
• The gardens include tennis courts. Yep! Royals playing tennis in palace grounds—talk about elite hustle.
  

6. FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can I go inside Buckingham Palace any time?
A: Not always. The State Rooms are open to the public only for limited periods (typically during summer months) and on selected dates. 

Q2: Is there a dress code? Do I need to wear something fancy?
A: No formal dress code for tourists. However, because it’s a working royal residence and formal ceremonies happen, it’s courteous to dress smart-casual. Comfort is more important: you’ll walk. 

Q3: How do I get there via public transport?
A: The nearest Tube stations are Victoria, Green Park and Hyde Park Corner. Several bus lines stop nearby too. 

Q4: Can I take photos inside?
A: Inside the State Rooms: no photography allowed. But in the Garden during the Summer Opening, yes you can. 

Q5: What if I’m visiting from abroad—how do I stay connected?
A: Great question! This is where your savvy move of using an eSIM like Commbitz comes in. You can activate international data on your phone and stay connected all through your London visit. No stumbling on WiFi, no massive roaming bills.

7. Final Destination

If you’ve made it this far, you’re now practically a guest of the royal residence—at least in spirit. The Buckingham Palace is not just a grand building. It’s a living symbol of history, ceremony, monarchy—and yes, thousands of tourists sneaking selfies behind the gates.

Planning your trip to London? Don’t just see Buckingham Palace—experience it. Pre-book your tickets, pick a comfortable time slot, load up your phone with Commbitz eSIM so you’re connected the moment you land, and spend a magical morning strolling its forecourt, watching the Changing of the Guard, peeking at the balcony, and then relaxing in its garden with a snack and people-watching.

Let the royal life inspire your day. And hey—maybe share your palace selfie and tag it with something fun. Who knows, you might just start your own little “Royal Approach” story.

So go on, treat yourself to a bit of regal splendour. And don’t forget: your data connection? Sorted. Your palace moments? Legendary.