The Royal Life în England în the Last Fifteen Years

ABSTRACT

The last major event that rearranged the world order is probably the Second World War.

One of the biggest and bravest fighters against the Hitler’s regime was the British Empire.

The Empire is built around its most important figure: “The Queen”. In my opinion it’s an example to be followed because those people were able to give their life for the Queen and their Kingdom.

Therefore I’ve chosen this theme: I think they deserve our appreciation and gratitude for their brave and glorious history.

In order for you to understand my decision of choosing this theme I will describe the life of the Queen and the empire in the last fifteen years in my certification paper.

The empire seems to have its own life rhythm because of the symbols found all over the island.

I’ve described the Castle of Windsor which is the Queen’s family private residence, I’ve also described the Palace of Buckingham which is the official residence of the royal family.

Another important part of my paper is dedicated to the Queen and her Majesty attributions, specially her relation with the Royal Armed Forces.

Also I’ve reached the “event” that rocked the whole world and the royal family:- the tragic end of the White Princess- Her Majesty Diana Frances Spencer.

In my opinion this theme is probably the best regarding the complexity, the mystery, the power and the pain that surrounds it.

Chapter I

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace has served as the official London residence of Britain's sovereigns since 1837. It evolved from a town house that was owned from the beginning of the eighteenth century by the Dukes of Buckingham.

Today it is The Queen's official residence. Although in use for the many official events and receptions held by The Queen, areas of Buckingham Palace are opened to visitors on a regular basis.

George III bought Buckingham House 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. Buckingham House became known as the Queen's House, and 14 of George III's 15 children were born there.

George IV, on his accession in 1820, decided to reconstruct the house into a pied-à-terre, using it for the same purpose as his father George III.

Many of the pieces of furniture and works of art in these rooms were bought or made for Carlton House (George IV's London base when he was Prince of Wales), which was demolished in 1827.

The north and south wings of Buckingham House were demolished and rebuilt on a larger scale with a triumphal arch - the Marble Arch - as the centerpiece of an enlarged courtyard, to commemorate the British victories at Trafalgar and Waterloo.

By 1829 the costs had escalated to nearly half a million pounds. Nash's extravagance cost him his job, and on the death of George IV in 1830, his younger brother William IV took on Edward Blore to finish the work.

Queen Victoria was the first sovereign to take up residence in July 1837, just three weeks after her accession, and in June 1838 she was the first British sovereign to leave from Buckingham Palace for a Coronation. Her marriage to Prince Albert in 1840 soon showed up the Palace's shortcomings.

Blore added an attic floor to the main block of the Palace and decorated it externally with marble friezes originally intended for Nash's Marble Arch. The work was completed in 1847.

By the turn of the century the soft French stone used in Blore's East Front was showing signs of deterioration, largely due to London's notorious soot, and required replacing.

In 1913 the decision was taken to reface the façade. Sir Aston Webb, with a number of large public buildings to his credit, was commissioned to create a new design. Webb chose Portland Stone, which took 12 months to prepare before building work could begin. When work did start it took 13 weeks to complete the refacing, a process that included removing the old stonework.

The present forecourt of the Palace, where Changing the Guard takes place, was formed in 1911, as part of the Victoria Memorial scheme.