Tales of the Palace Trivia Quiz

Answer: George III

Ownership of the site where Buckingham Palace is located has changed many times throughout the centuries. The land has been held by Edward the Confessor and William the Conqueror, who gave the site to Geoffrey de Mandeville. Mandeville left it to the monks of Westminster Abbey, but eventually it was acquired by Henry VIII.

Although James I sold part of the site, some land was retained for a mulberry farm. By the time of purchase by George III, two houses had been built on the site. The first was built by Sir William Blake in 1624; it was expanded by Lord Goring, but burned down in 1674 after being purchased by Henry Bennet, 1st Earl of Arlington.

The southern wing of today's palace was known as Arlington House. Since the time of James I, the mulberry garden property had been retained by the royal family; the other owners of the adjoining property were unable to purchase the freehold of the site. Buckingham House, which formed the core of today's palace, was built in 1703 by the Duke of Buckingham and Normanby, and was eventually sold to George III.

At that time it was called the Queen's House, and was meant to be a private retreat for Queen Charlotte. Fourteen of the monarchs' fifteen children were born there.

Answer: Victoria

George IV decided to remodel Buckingham House from a comfortable home to a palace; his brother, William IV, continued the renovation, but died before it was completed. When Victoria moved to Buckingham Palace it was described as being less than luxurious.

It was cold because the chimneys smoked and the fires had to be allowed to die down. Also said to smell (!) due to poor ventilation, and it was dirty due to a poor household staff. When Victoria married Prince Albert, he reorganized the staff and took care of design problems.

A new wing was added in 1847. After Albert's death, Victoria rarely lived in Buckingham Palace.

Answer: Orientalism

Brighton Pavilion was built by George IV as a royal residence in Brighton during the time he was Prince Regent. William IV also resided there. However, Victoria did not enjoy staying there. It was too small for her large family, and too crowded as "the people here are very indiscreet and troublesome". The building was sold to the town of Brighton in 1850, and many of the furnishings were taken to either Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle, although some of the fittings were later returned. Throughout the past century there has been an effort to restore the Brighton Pavilion.

According to "The Official Website of the British Monarchy", some rooms in Buckingham Palace have a Chinese theme. The Luncheon Room is made from parts of the Brighton Banqueting and Music Room, while the Yellow Drawing Room has wallpaper that was designed for the Brighton Salon.

Answer: Chapel

Believed to have been a deliberate target, the most serious damage to the palace caused the destruction of the chapel. Although many times damage was kept out of the spotlight, after the destruction of the chapel, George VI and Queen Elizabeth were filmed inspecting the site.

It was during this time that the always classy Queen said, "I'm glad we have been bombed. Now I can look the East End in the face." During the repeated bombings, miraculously all escaped harm, except one policeman, PC Steve Robertson, who was on duty March 8, 1941, and was killed by flying debris. Since the bombing of the chapel, some royal christenings have taken place in the Music Room.

Answer: Garden Parties

Garden parties, which were called "breakfasts" were held at Buckingham Palace during Victoria's reign. However, Elizabeth II abolished the practice of debutante presentations after the 1958 'season' and increased the number of garden parties. The parties are seen as a way to recognize public service. Nominations for those invited come from "Lord-Lieutenants, and organisations such as the Civil Service, Armed Services, Diplomatic Corps, charities and societies", according to "The Official Website of the British Monarchy". Attended by the Queen, Duke of Edinburgh, and other members of the family, garden parties are held from 4-6 p.m., and include music and refreshments.

The Buckingham Palace garden covers 40 acres, and contains 30 different species of birds, as well as 350 different wild flowers.

Answer: Ballroom

Approximately twenty-five investitures are held each year. The majority take place in the Ballroom at Buckingham Palace, which is the largest room. However, the ceremony may also be held at Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh and in the Waterloo Chamber at Windsor Castle.

Individuals may receive their award from The Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Princess Royal, or The Duke of Cambridge.

Answer: Trooping the Colour

A tradition of British infantry units since the 17th century, in 1748 Trooping the Colour also was used to mark the official birthday celebration of the monarch. Held on a Saturday in June, the ceremony is also known as "the Queen's Birthday Parade".

It has been an annual celebration since 1820, except for periods of mourning, or exceptional circumstances; for example, the celebration was cancelled in 1955 due to a rail strike. There is a set procedure for the event; at the culmination of the ceremony the Royal Family appears on the balcony. George VI began the tradition of the RAF fly-past at the end of Trooping the Colour.

Incidentally, the first recorded Royal balcony appearance was in 1851, when Victoria stepped out on the balcony during the celebrations for the opening of the Great Exhibition.

Answer: Carriages

In recent years the Royal Mews has also been the site of the royal garage! In 1820 the King's Mews at Charing Cross were moved to the grounds of Buckingham Palace. About thirty horses, usually Cleveland Bays or Windsor Greys, a long list of state coaches and carriages, including the Gold State Coach that was commissioned in 1762, and state cars are kept there.

There are also working Royal Mews at Hampton Court Palace, Windsor Castle, and Holyrood Palace.

Answer: Queen's Gallery

The Queen's Gallery was built on the site of the chapel destroyed during WWII. Made into a public art gallery, works from the Royal Collection are exhibited there. Expanded in a renovation from 1999-2002, the gallery displays approximately 450 pieces at a time.

While the Queen's Gallery and Royal Mews are to be open to the public (tickets may be purchased from the Royal Collection Trust) from February-November, the State Rooms at the Palace are only open from the end of July-end of September.

Answer: It is held in trust by Crown Estates.

Buckingham Palace, which has 775 rooms, including 19 State rooms, 52 Royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms, is occupied by the Sovereign, and held in trust for future generations. It is the official London residence of the Queen.

However, according to "The Official Website of the British Monarchy", "The Duke of Edinburgh, The Duke of York, The Earl and Countess of Wessex, The Princess Royal and Princess Alexandra also have private offices and apartments located within the Palace".