Buckingham Palace and motorcades of visiting heads of state, and by the royal family on state occasions such as the annual Trooping the Colour. In 1901 the accession of Edward VII saw new life breathed into the palace. The new King and his wife Queen Alexandra had always been at the forefront of London high society, and their friends, known as "the Marlborough House Set", were considered to be the most eminent and fashionable of the age. Buckingham Palace—the Ballroom, Grand Entrance, Marble Hall, Grand Staircase, vestibules and galleries redecorated in the Belle Époque cream and gold colour scheme they retain today—once
Palace of the Countess of Lebrija Murillo. On the upper floor there is also a library containing over 6000 books and essays. In 1999, descendants of the Countess and current owners opened the house to the public as a museum. Visitors may explore the ground floor at will. There are also guided tours of the upper floor throughout the day. The richly appointed rooms on this floor have been left as the family lived in them; they include sitting rooms, a private chapel, dining room and library, all of which contain a multitude of ornaments and major works of art. Palace of the Countess of Lebrija