HISTORY
What’s It Like To Live At Buckingham Palace?
Former employees reveal how living at the palace is like.
Life in Buckingham palace appears quite a mystery. Operating as both a public and private place, the palace is an official state-building and royal residence.
Some rooms are solely designated for official purposes. Despite the aging structure, falling detritus, and leaking roof, the palace serves as a dream place for staff who enjoy all the perks — from medical to exercise facilities.
Interestingly the aging of Buckingham Palace is considered more of a charm than a defect. Its grandeur exceeds expectation; see for yourself:
Outdated decorations
The palace has a total of 775 rooms, out of which only 19 are allocated for state purposes. What is so different about the staterooms? None of them is redecorated for more than six decades and left untouched. The rooms are maintained but not changed in any way.
The conscious decision of letting the rooms stay as they were in history ties back to the attachment. How come the rooms are in great condition, especially when most people feel the need to decorate their place every ten years or so?
It was decorated to a very high standard in the first place. Edward VII adored the palace, so chose elaborated and quality decorations.
Millions spent on repairs
The royal family acquired the Buckingham house in the mid-18th century. During King Geroge IV’s reign, architect John Nash turned the house into a palace, expanding new rooms and elaborately decorating each one.
Several upgrades have taken place from that time, but all those upgrades were carefully fashioned to maintain the vibe of old times — the reason nothing matches with current trends.
For instance, if we talk about the water pipes, light fittings, and electrical wiring, such prominent things needed replacement as they dated back to pre-WW2. How much did it all cost? Well, the British government allocated $500 million for it.
Allocating a budget of $500 million was not a walk in a park and the process was accompanied by several complications — who should invest struck a controversy. A petition got circulated in the UK which demanded royals to pay for the repairs themselves.
The parliament also put forth the demands, but Queen Elizabeth II insisted that royals do not own Buckingham Palace, like other residences.
Apart from such practical repairs, safety issues are not frequently addressed in the palace, as on one occasion a piece of falling masonry had almost hit the head of Princess Anne.
Even The Queen doesn’t sit on the throne
The throne room is one of the palace’s staterooms, which hosts two thrones known for “ The Chairs of Estate.” Those chairs were fashioned for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and her husband.
Even the chairs used by the previous rulers like King George and Queen Victoria are located in the same room. Talking about the throne of Elizabeth II then she had only sat once over her throne, before locating it at Windsor Castle.
Big palace’s garden with a lake & an island
One will find the variety of more than 300 types of wild British flowers spreading across the area of 40 acres of gardens. In addition to the wildflowers, 30 species of birds enjoy the liberty of living in any of the 150 trees rooted.
Numerous types of butterflies and moths also color the area. Additionally, 3 acres of land is dedicated to a small island, which is notable for the queen. Why? Because on the island royal hosts Italian honey bees from where the queen enjoys organic honey
The remaining garden space is shared both by the helicopter pad and a tennis court.
Life as a royal staff
The palace has 188 bedrooms dedicated to the staff. Not only do the workers get small quarters where they sleep but also exclusive phone packages together with car leasing discounts.
People working the palace first undergo extensive training, be it, telephone trainers or butlers, as they need to deliver extraordinary service for the royals dwelling in incredible surroundings.
Additionally, Buckingham palace is equipped with every sort of perk so that the staff doesn’t feel the need to go out — from the cafeteria to the post office, movie theater to doctor’s office, swimming pool to the gym. The place even offers a book club and a choir for the staff to join.
Hinting towards the expense of medical facilities for the staff, then it was frowned upon. Back in 2008, people criticized the revelation of the health service journal, which unfolded how 300 household staff received medical services at a rate nearly two times the average.
Interestingly, there was a time in Buckingham palace when it housed a bar for the staff members, who sadly couldn’t control, leading to its closure. The former press officer reported how Queen Elizabeth II shut it down due to the “worse for wear” staff.
Experience of the staff
Queen wanders wherever and whenever, as reported by one of the Former Buckingham Palace butlers, Richard Kerrigan. Once, he was fixing a flower arrangement when the queen suddenly walked in to ensure whether everything was up to her mark or not; he continued his work as no one is allowed to speak to the monarch until approached.
Apart from not opening the mouth, the staff is not allowed to click pictures inside the palace — it is strictly forbidden. The workers also need to be vigilant of the red, green light system, which indicates when they are allowed to leave and enter otherwise.
Simon Morgan, Royal Protection Officer from 2006 to 2013, reflected his time in the palace in the following words:
You are very fortunate to be in these positions, to travel by private charter, or travel first class, or to be on super-yachts, or to eat in some of the nicest restaurants the world can offer, but it’s just a job. You go back to your two-up two-down home and life carries on. Your environment might change but you remember you are still a police officer, employed by the Met Police.
An ATM in the basement exclusively for royals
The royal family can play with cash anytime as the place itself has a Coutts bank ATM in the basement — though Queen Elizabeth II is believed never to carry cash. Coutts served as the oldest bank in the world.
Queen Elizabeth II’s favorites
A regular meal of tea, cereal, eggs, and fruits is not all that Queen Elizabeth II loves — she likes alcohol which she drinks in moderation throughout the day, the gin, and wine.
Interestingly, the palace has bowls of nuts sprawled around for her to snack on — but she has strict rules for their protection. She guards the nuts herself, warning all the staff of keeping their fingers out of it. Additionally, the palace also houses shortbread and chocolate as the queen loves it.
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References:
https://www.womanandhome.com/life/royal-news/who-lives-at-buckingham-palace-288731/