5 of Queen Elizabeth’s homes, from London’s Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle, the largest occupied castle in the world

Jul 26 , 2021

Queen Elizabeth has five royal residences including Balmoral Castle (left) and her official headquarters, Buckingham Palace. Photos: @balmoral_castle; @theroyalfamily/Instagram, AFP

Prince Charles and Prince Andrew were born at Buckingham Palace, while Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got married at Windsor Castle’s St. George’s Chapel

In Scotland, the queen has two residences: Edinburgh’s Holyroodhouse and a private estate at Balmoral, honeymoon location for Princess Diana and Prince Charles

Queen Elizabeth is the longest-reigning female monarch in world history, so it’s no surprise she has collected and inherited a vast collection of properties over the years.

Take a look at the palaces, castles and houses the queen calls home.

Buckingham Palace – London, England

Crowds gather outside as members of the royal family stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch a fly-past by the Royal Air Force in June 2017. Photo: AFP Photo

Buckingham Palace is the official headquarters of Britain’s reigning monarch, and more than 50,000 people visit each year as guests at events.

Buckingham Palace. Photos: @theroyalfamily/Instagram

But it’s also where the queen gave birth to Prince Charles and Prince Andrew. Notices of royal births and deaths are attached to the front railings for members of the public to read. It’s also where the public gathers to watch the family wave from the iconic balcony on special occasions such as weddings, and the setting for celebrations including christenings.

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth greets Prime Minister Boris Johnson at an audience at Buckingham Palace, London. Photo: AP

George III bought the property in 1761 for his wife Queen Charlotte to use as a comfortable family home close to St. James’s Palace, where many court functions were held at the time.

The Palace has 775 rooms in total, including 19 state rooms, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms. Despite the front of the building being 108 metres long and the side 120 metres deep, it is not the largest home belonging to the queen – that title goes to Windsor Castle.