Buckingham Palace From The Air -- This view, taken from the west, illustrates the rear entrance the Principal Royal Palace. Facing the other side (the frontage) is ***** Queen Victoria Memorial, to the left of it, Green Park, to ***** right, St. James' Park. Buckingham Palace was purchased by ***** III, in 1762, from the Duke of Buckingham and was ***** for the King George IV. It has been the London ***** since Queen Victoria's accession in 1837. Buckingham Palace ..."Five tons of gold plate and jewels to take your breath away." March 01, 1955. (Photo by Camera Press).