The story of how the Royal Family acquired Buckingham Palace, which was originally a three-story block house owned by John Sheffield, the Duke of Buckingham (and called Buckingham House, pictured), and later bought by King George III in 1761 as a gift for his wife (as her sanctuary), is long and a little convoluted. But when it comes to the modern-day palace we all know, we have Queen Victoria to thank — mostly.
Queen Victoria was in fact the first reigning monarch to make the palace her home back in 1837, and in 1845 she had the fourth wing added to the property. This resulted in the eastern side of the forecourt being completed by architect Edward Blore, the Royal Family website revealed. Ever since, Buckingham Palace has been the official home to the reigning monarch.
