The history of the iconic Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace has been the official residence of the British monarch since 1837, including our very own Charles III and Elizabeth II.

It is quite simply one of the most iconic buildings in the world. From state visits to the daily Changing of the Guard, to the annual garden parties and national celebrations; everyone recognises this picturesque building.

But, did you know that Buckingham Palace was initially called Buckingham House?

Read on to explore the history of this great palace, which features on a brand-new UK £5 coin

Buckingham House – 1761

In 1761, George III purchased Buckingham House for his wife, Queen Charlotte. Close to St James’ Palace, it proved the perfect home for the Queen who gave birth to 14 out of her 15 children there.

But, with the accession of George IV in 1820, he decided that he wanted to reconstruct the house eventually agreeing with his architect to turn it into a palace.

At the time, George IV told parliament that the reconstruction would cost near to £450,000 – that’s about £55 million today!

The house was doubled in size, adding new suites and state rooms, and the facing was curated from Bath stone, echoing a French neo-classical influence.

In fact, the rooms that were designed over 200 years ago stand the same in the current day.

Queen Victoria – 1837

It wasn’t until 1837, when Queen Victoria ascended the throne, that Buckingham Palace became the official residence of a British monarch.

She was the first monarch to leave from the palace for her coronation, but her marriage to Prince Albert presented some issues. Namely that the palace didn’t have enough nurseries. It therefore went through another construction phase – redesigning some of the inside alongside updating the frontage after soot had ruined it throughout the industrial revolution.

Present Day – 2024

Nowadays, Buckingham Palace is the administrative headquarters of the monarch, as well as the Sovereign’s residence. The palace has 775 rooms, including 19 state rooms, 52 bedrooms and 78 bathrooms.

Every year more than 50,000 people visit as guests for state banquets, lunches, dinners, receptions and garden parties.

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Credit: Royal Collection Trust https://www.rct.uk/visit/buckingham-palace

Brand-New UK £5 Coin

To honour the incredible history and sentiment of this incredible British landmark, a brand-new UK £5 coin has been issued.

But stocks are extremely limited, especially of the rare Silver Piedfort edition of which only 800 are available worldwide.

Click here to view the range and secure your memento today >>

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Royal Inspiration: The Story Behind the King Charles III 75th Birthday Coin Design – An Interview with Renowned Heraldic Artist, Mike Guilfoyle

Welcome to a behind-the-scenes encounter with a true artistic genius. Join us as we delve into an exclusive interview with renowned artist, Mike Guilfoyle. In this captivating interview, we’ll uncover the intricacies and insights behind his latest masterpiece– the King Charles III 75th Birthday Coin. Prepare to be enchanted by the inspiration, craftsmanship, and intricate details that make these coins a work of art, all revealed by the visionary behind the design.

You can explore the key features of the King Charles III 75th Birthday Coins, by clicking on the white dots on the interactive image below:

Click here to explore the whole King Charles III 75th Birthday Coin Range>>>

Royal Celebration: King Charles III 75th Birthday Range Released

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This year, on the 14th of November, His Majesty King Charles III will celebrate his 75th birthday. This will be the first time a reigning British King has celebrated his 75th birthday in over 200 years.

Royal birthdays have held a significant place in the hearts of collectors for generations.

In a gesture to match the grandeur of the occasion – especially for collectors – a stunning coin range has been unveiled to mark the 75th birthday of King Charles III. This exquisite collection perfectly captures the essence of His Majesty in meticulous detail.

Continue reading below to explore the beautiful designs in all their glory.


Brand-new: King Charles III 75th Birthday Silver Proof £5

A prestigious piece of royal history, this brand-new £5 coin has been struck to the historic Crown specifications.

This remarkable release is strictly limited to JUST 995 collectors WORLDWIDE.

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The 2023 King Charles III 75th Birthday Silver Proof £5.

Secure your own King Charles III 75th Silver Proof £5 by clicking here >>>


Own the coin fit for a King: His Majesty’s 75th Birthday Silver 5oz

This is the coin that’s being gifted to King Charles III for his 75th birthday – you read that correctly!

Issued by Guernsey, this stunning coin is struck from 5oz of Pure Silver with selective 24 Carat Gold plating. Only 174 out of the total 175 edition limit have been made available for collectors, as number one has already been reserved for His Majesty.

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A size comparison between the Silver 5oz and a ten pence piece.

Click here to own this impressive silver tribute to His Majesty King Charles III >>>


Mark this historic milestone with the Gold Proof £5

The one-year-only design on the Gold Proof £5 has been fully approved by Buckingham Palace – with a strict edition limit of JUST 30.

Struck from solid Gold, the pristine Proof finish really showcases the specially commissioned design, featuring cruciform shields with symbols representing His Majesty’s life – including the fleet Air Arm badge honouring His Majesty’s service as a helicopter pilot in the Royal Navy.

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The King Charles III 75th Birthday Gold Proof £5 close up to see the intricate details.

Click here to secure your own exclusive Gold Proof £5 – ONLY 30 available! >>>


A true work of art: King Charles III 75th Birthday Artist’s Set

Issued to mark the first time in over two centuries that a reigning British King has reached the age of 75. The King Charles III 75th Birthday Artist’s Set truly rises to this historic occasion.

It features an official ‘Note from the Artist’ signed by the reverse designer – Mike Guilfoyle, where he gives a fascinating insight into his creative process and inspiration.

Only 200 of these historic sets will ever exist – so only a select number of collectors will be able to own this exclusive set.

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Only 200 of these exclusive Artist’s Sets will be available for King Charles III 75th Birthday.

Click here to own one of these specially curated sets >>>


The ultimate King Charles III 75th Birthday issue: Proof £5 coin cover

The perfect way to mark the historic occasion, this exclusive release includes a £5 Proof coin alongside His Majesty’s Coronation stamps, hand-stamped on his 75th birthday – the 14th of November 2023.

This makes it a true collector’s dream, as once all the covers have been allocated, they will never be available again.

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The Proof £5 coin cover with hand-stamped Coronation stamps of His Majesty King Charles.

Click here to secure yours before the strict edition of JUST 495 is gone >>>


This really is a collection fit for a king – but there are even more brand-new releases to see, delve into the rest of the exclusive collection by clicking the link below!

Click here to explore the full King Charles III 75th Birthday Range >>>