Buckingham Palace destruction of the Palace of Westminster by fire in 1834, William considered converting the palace into the new Houses of Parliament. Buckingham Palace finally became the principal royal residence in 1837, on the accession of Queen Victoria, who was the first monarch to reside there; her predecessor William IV had died before its completion. While the state rooms were a riot of gilt and colour, the necessities of the new palace were somewhat less luxurious. For one thing, it was reported the chimneys smoked so much that the fires had to be allowed to die down, and consequently the court
Buckingham Gate Buckingham Gate Buckingham Gate is a street in Westminster London, England near Buckingham Palace. At the north-west end is a junction with Buckingham Palace Road and Birdcage Walk opposite Buckingham Palace. At the south-east end is a junction with Victoria Street. The Wellington Barracks are to the north-east. The street is designated as part of the B323 road. The nearest London Underground stations are London Victoria station and St. James's Park tube station, both are close to the south-east end of the street. The Buckingham Gate drill halls stood at No. 59, the regimental headquarters of the London Scottish (regiment)