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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Buckingham Palace
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(London SW1) The chief residence of the monarch since the accession of Queen Victoria. Buckingham House was built in 1702–5 for the 1st duke of Buckingham, and was bought in 1762 by George III. The king lived there until his death, whereupon George IV employed John *Nash to rebuild the house. Neither the new king nor his brother, William IV, was able to live in the palace and it was barely ready for Victoria. Nash created a three-sided courtyard, open towards the Mall, with *Marble Arch forming its entrance. But he was dismissed on the accession of William IV and was replaced by Edward Blore (1787–1879), who constructed a fourth side to the courtyard and moved Marble Arch to its present site.
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It is Blore's wing that the public sees, though the actual façade was added in 1913 by Aston *Webb (as the final detail of his new design for the Mall). The *Changing of the Guard takes place on the parade ground in front of this eastern façade. Since 1962 a building with access from Buckingham Palace Road has been used for temporary exhibitions of items from the royal collection; it is known as the Queen's Gallery.
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