白金汉宫（Buckingham Palace）
Buckingham Palace has been the official London residence of Britain's kings and queens since 1837.Located in the City of Westminster，the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality，and a major tourist attraction.It has been a rallying point for the British people at times of national rejoicing and crisis.A lthough used for many official events and receptions held by The Queen，areas of Buckingham Palace are opened to visitors on a regular basis.
自1837年起，白金汉宫就成了英国君主在伦敦的府邸。宫殿位于威斯敏斯特城，是举行国家庆典和皇室宴请外宾之所，也是一处重要的旅游景点。历史上每逢英国欢庆或是危急时刻，这儿也是重要的集会场所。虽然女王经常在此举行官方活动和接待事宜，但白金汉宫也会定期向游客开放。
Originally known as Buckingham House，the building which forms the core of today's palace was a large townhouse built for the Duke of Buckinghamin 1703 and acquired by GeorgeⅢ in 1761 as a private residence，known as "The Queen's House".
1703年，白金汉公爵在此兴建了一座大别墅，称为“白金汉屋”，它便是今天白金汉宫的主体建筑。1761年乔治三世获该府邸，并将其作为私人寝宫，名为“皇后宫殿”。
It was enlarged over the next 75 years，principally by architects John Nash and Edward Blore，forming three wings around a central courtyard.Buckingham Palace finally became the official royal palace of the British monarch on the accession of Queen Victoria in 1837.
此后，宫殿扩建工作持续了75年，主要由建筑师约翰·纳什和爱德华·布罗尔主持，他们为中央庭院构筑了三侧建筑。1837年，维多利亚女王即位后，白金汉宫正式成为王宫。(https://www.daowen.com)
The last major structural additions were made in the late 19th and early 20th centuries，including the present-day public face of Buckingham Palace.However，the palace chapel was destroyed by a German bomb in World War II; the Queen's Gallery was built on the site and opened to the public in 1962 to exhibit works of art from the Royal Collection.
宫殿最后一处主要加建工程于19世纪末20世纪初建成，包括如今白金汉宫的外立面工程。“二战”期间，宫殿礼拜堂遭一枚德国炸弹袭击而毁；在其遗址上建立的女王画廊于1962年向公众开放，用于展示皇家收藏品。
The original early 19th century interior designs，many of which still survive，included widespread use of brightly coloured scagliola and blue and pink lapis.The Buckingham Palace Garden is the largest private garden in London.The artificial lake was completed in 1828 and is supplied with water from the Serpentine，a river which runs through Hyde Park.
宫殿内仍保留着19世纪初的原始设计，如大面积使用色彩鲜艳的人造大理石、蓝色和粉色的青金石等。白金汉宫花园是伦敦最大的私人花园。花园里的人工湖于1828年建成，湖水来自流经海德公园的九曲湖。
Buckingham Palace is one of the world's most famous buildings and more than 50,000 people visit the palace each year.The Forecourt of Buckingham Palace is used for Changing of the Guard，a major ceremony and tourist attraction.Thus，Buckingham Palace is a symbol and home of the British monarchy，an art gallery and tourist attraction.
白金汉宫盛名享誉世界，每年有5万余人到此参观游览。宫殿前广场会进行著名的禁卫军交接仪式，这也是一大旅游景观。因此，白金汉宫不仅是英国王室的象征和寝宫，还是个艺术长廊和旅游胜地。