Buckingham Palace is one of the most iconic landmarks in the world and it's no surprise why the palace is not only the official residence of the British monarch but also a symbol of the country's Rich history and culture but what exactly makes Buckingham Palace worth so much money and also what Secrets lie behind its walls well stay with us as we take you on a journey inside Queen Elizabeth's billion dollar Buckingham Palace and reveal some of its Most Fascinating Secrets but first let's take a little detour to bring you up to speed about the palace itself Buckingham Palace Buckingham Palace is the official residence and administrative headquarters of the British monarch in London the palace has a long and fascinating history dating back to the 17th century the site of the palace was originally a marshy land along the river tyon owned by various Nobles and monks over the centuries in 1703 John Sheffield the first Duke of Buckingham and normanby built a large townhouse on the property which became known as Buckingham house fast forward to 1761 and King George III bought Buckingham house for his wife Queen Charlotte and their children he then commissioned a renovation of the house which became known as the Queen's house the house was mainly used as a private residence and a place for entertaining guests in 1820 King George IV inherited the house and decided to transform it into a grand palace and in 1837 Queen Victoria was the first Sovereign to use Buckingham Palace as her official residence she however found the palace too small for her growing family and ordered another Wing to be built along the garden front she also moved the Marble Arch to hide Park and replaced it with a new Gat house Queen Victoria also installed many modern amenities in the palace such as gaslighting flushing toilets and electric Bells ever since Buckingham Palace has been the scene of many historic events and ceremonies today it has 775 rooms including 19 staterooms 52 Royal and guest bedrooms 188 staff bedrooms 78 bathrooms and 92 offices it also has a ballroom a chapel a cinema a swimming pool and wait for it a post office the Buckingham Garden is also the largest private Garden in London however one more interesting fact about this awesome Palace is that it is worth a staggering $5 billion yeah you heard that right each year during the majority of July to October the state rooms which is where official and state events are held graciously open their doors to the public with that said let's now take a trip through this Exquisite Palace to reveal some of its Most Fascinating secrets and of course the most expensive things owned by the late Monarch Queen Elizabeth II The Two Penny blue Marisha stamp Buckingham Palace has a collection of stamps from around the world including one of the most valuable and rarest postage stamps in the world the two Penny blue Marisha stamp also known as the tppy blue this stamp was issued by the British colony of maius in September 1847 along with an orange red one penny stamp both stamps had the words post office on them which was later changed to postpaid on subsequent issues the two- Penny blue stamp is part of the royal philatelic collection which belonged to Queen Elizabeth II and is housed in a special room at the palace the queen was also the fifth Monarch to inherit the RO Royal philatelic collection the two Penny blue stamp features the profile head of Queen Victoria engraved by a local artist named Joseph Osman Barnard he based his design on the British stamps of the time but gave them a distinct primitive character only 500 of each value were printed from a single plate and many of them were used to send invitations for a ball hosted by the wife of the governor of macius this stamp is so rare that only a few dozen are known to exist today and they are highly sought after by collectors one of the places where you can see an original Two Penny blue stamp is at Buckingham Palace the London residence and administrative headquarters of the monarch of the United Kingdom the morius post office postage stamps have earned their place as some of the world's most prized Treasures thanks to their inclusion in the esteemed collections of renowned stamp enthusiasts such as Sir Ernest D Silva Alfred F lonstein and many others so over the years their value skyrocketed rendering them Treasures of unparalleled worth in the philatelic world in fact back in 1904 King George V made history by acquiring an unused blue two pence post office stamp at an auction setting a remarkable world record with a winning bid of 1,450 adjusting for inflation that impressive sum would equate to approximately £170,000 in the year 2021 also in 2011 the most recent auction of one of these stamps saw it sell for approximately 1.05 million which translates to an astonishing $1.7 million as of today a mere 26 specimens of the macious post office stamps remain in existence comprising 14 one penny stamps and 12 Two Penny stamps the two Penny blue stamp is valued at2 million in a collection worth more than pound 100 million it is considered to be a masterpiece of filat and a symbol of mauritius's colonial history The Collection is not open to the public but it is sometimes displayed at exhibitions or lent to museums the Mosaic Fab egg Queen Elizabeth's Fab collection has more than 600 pieces with one of the most iconic of all being the Mosaic Fab egg the Mosaic Fab egg is a masterpiece of jewelry and art that was created by the famous Russian Jeweler Peter Carl Fab in 1914 it is one of the most intricate and expensive Fab eggs ever made the Mosaic Fab egg was commissioned by Zar Nicholas II of Russia as a gift for his wife Serina Alexandra fyodorova for Easter celebrations in 1914 it was the last egg that the couple received before the outbreak of World War I and the Russian Revolution which would end their reign in their lives the egg is a symbol of their life and their family as it contains a surprise inside the egg is made of platinum and gold and it is divided into five oval panels with diamond and gold belts the panels are decorated with a mosaic design of flowers made of diamonds sapphires rubies emeralds topazes and garnets the Mosaic pieces are so small and precise that they resemble needle work or tapestry at the top of the egg there is a moonstone that reveals the year 1914 and the initials of the empress in Russian characters the surprise inside the egg is a removable miniature gold frame with relief profiles of the Zar children Olga Tatiana Maria Anastasia and alexe the frame is enameled with a sepia basket of flowers and the names and the year of each child the frame rests on a gold stand in the shape of the royal crown and can be removed from the egg by gold Clips the portraits are made of Gile enamel a technique that uses different Shades of Gray to create a realistic effect the Mosaic Fab egg is one of the few Fab eggs that survived the turmoil of the Russian Revolution and remained in intact it was confiscated by the Bolsheviks in 1917 and sold by the antique varat the Soviet agency in charge of selling confiscated Treasures the egg was then later sold to King George V and Queen Mary of England for pound 250 in 1933 following this purchase the egg became part of the royal collection and was inherited by Queen Elizabeth thei in 1952 when she became the Queen the Mosaic egg continues to be a cherished part of the royal collection the egg also graced a public exhibition from July to October 2011 as a highlight of the royal Fab showcase during Buckingham palace's summer opening alongside other Fab eggs art collection the art collection of Queen Elizabeth II is one of the most impressive and valuable in the world in fact the Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace houses an abundance of Priceless art constituting the most extensive privately owned collection in existence comprising a staggering 1 million objects this extraordinary collection encompasses a unique diversity of treasures among them are 7,000 paintings and more than 150,000 works on paper including 30,000 watercolors and drawings additionally there are around 450,000 photographs along with a rich tapestry of 700,000 art pieces ranging from furniture Ceramics and textiles to carriages Weaponry jewelry and more this vast assortment also includes clocks musical instruments table wear plants manuscripts books and sculptures the history of the Queen's art collection can be traced back to the 16th century when King Henry VII began to acquire artworks from Europe and Beyond however the most significant period of expansion was during the reign of King Charles I who was an avid collector and Patron of Italian and Flemish art he amassed a spectacular collection of works by artists such as van djk rubben Hine tishan and mantena amongst others unfortunately after his execution in 1649 his collection was sold off by the parliamentarians who opposed his rule many of these Works ended up in foreign museums such as the Muse D in Paris and Museo National Del PR in Madrid thankfully some of the collection was later recovered by Charles II who restored the monarchy in 1660 he also added new works by other artists including the artworks given to him by the Dutch Republic since then successive monarchs have continued to enrich The Collection with their tastes and preferences Queen Elizabeth also contributed to the collection with some Modern and contemporary works by artists such as Andy Warhol Anish kapor Lucien Freud and David hotney the collection also boasts over 50 masterful paintings by canaletto a mesmerizing work by verir a selection of Exquisite Rembrandts and more than 30 drawings by The Genius behind the Mona Lisa Leonardo da Vinci she has also supported the conservation and display of the collection through various initiatives such as the Royal collection trust which manages the collection on behalf of the monarchy and the nation the worth of the Queen's art collection is difficult to estimate accurately because it is not for sale and it has no market value however some experts have suggested that could be worth around 10 billion or more based on its size quality Rarity and historical significance approximately 3,000 objects are presently on loan to museums worldwide while numerous others find temporary homes in exhibitions on a rotational basis jewelry collection Queen Elizabeth amassed a vast and valuable collection of jewelry crowns Tiaras and other precious items that reflected her taste Heritage and style during her Reign some of these pieces of jewelry were passed down through generations like her engagement ring and Tiara others were bestowed upon her by fellow Royals and esteemed dignitaries some she commissioned herself or had crafted by renowned Jewelers among them you'll find rare and one-of-a-kind gems as well as elegant Simplicity and dazzling Sparkle one of the most iconic pieces of the Queen's jewelry collection is the Imperial State Crown the Imperial State Crown is a symbol of the British Monarch's power and has been worn by different kings and queens since the 15th century the current version was made in 1937 and is used by a new monarch for the first time in the Royal procession after their coronation which is done with the St Edwards Crown subsequently this illustrious Crown is then worn on state occasions such as the state openings of parliament it features 2,868 brilliant cut diamonds 17 sapphires 11 emeralds five rubies and 273 pearls the crown weighs £ 2.3 and the top cross is adorned with St Edward's Sapphire a jewel said to have been obtained from The Ring Of Edward the Confessor during his reinterment at Westminster Abbey in the year 1163 the true worth of the Imperial State Crown has remained a topic of contention over the years with no official appraisal on record any attempts to gauge its value are essentially guesswork nevertheless experts have placed their estimations of the crown to be between a whopping 33 billion p and 5 billion pounds now since the Imperial State Crown is only for State occasions during formal events including Banquets Queen Elizabeth II adorned herself with pieces from her extensive jewelry collection which comprised over 300 Exquisite items among these Treasures were 98 brooches 46 necklaces 37 bracelets 34 pairs of earrings 20 Regal Tiaras 15 rings 14 time pieces and five captivating pendants these Exquisite Jewels are not the same as the crown jewels which were made for Charles II and his successors some of the jewels were made for Queens who ruled or married Kings but some Kings also added to the collection in more recent times Queen Elizabeth II proudly dawned these exceptional Jewels during her tenure as the reigning monarch of Australia Canada and New Zealand these Regal adornments found their way into official portraits specially commissioned for these Realms which added a touch of grandeur and elegance to her role as The Sovereign Queen Victoria's wedding dress Queen Victoria's wedding dress is one of the most iconic and influential garments in the history of fashion it was worn by the young Queen on her wedding day to Prince Albert of sax Cobourg and gotha on February 10th 1840 at the chapel Royal of St James's palace in London the dress was made of heavy silk satin in a plain cream color trimmed with a deep flounce and trimmings of H lace handmade in Devon England the dress also featured orange blossoms a symbol of fertility that adorned the skirt the wreath on the Queen's head and the bouquet she carried the train of the dress carried by her bridesmaids measured 18 ft in length the choice of a white wedding dress was unusual and Innovative at the time as most Royal Brides favored dresses in bright colored or Brussels lace Queen Victoria chose white to demonstrate her support for the British textile industry especially the lacemaking cottage industry in Honiton she also wanted to emphasize her simplicity it and modesty as a bride rather than her status and wealth as a monarch before long the white wedding dress soon became a popular Trend among Victorian Brides of all classes as it symbolized Purity innocence and romance interestingly Queen Victoria has been credited with starting the tradition of white wedding gowns that persist to this day although she was not the first Royal to be married in white the wedding dress remained in the possession of Queen Victoria until her death in 1901 it was then inherited by her eldest son King Edward iith who passed it on to his son King George V the dress was then passed down several Generations until it was inherited by Queen Elizabeth II Queen Victoria's wedding gown is no doubt a part of the Royal Family's Heritage and history and it has been passed down from Monarch to Monarch for over 180 years erley Norton's astronomical clock erley Norton was a renowned clock maker in London in the 18th century he was known for his Innovative and complex clocks especially his astronomical clocks that displayed various Celestial phenomena one of his finest works works is an astronomical clock that he made for King George III in 1765 who was an avid collector and Patron of horology the clock is now part of the royal collection trust and is displayed in the library of Buckingham Palace the clock has four unique sides each showing different aspects of time and astronomy the front dial shows the time of day on a 24-hour dial with hands for mean and solar time at the heart of this remarkable time piece a painted landscape adorned with figures captures the sun's journey across the sky while a small dial simultaneous ly keeps track of time at 30 locations across the globe relative to Greenwich Mean the hour hand completes a full rotation every 24 hours while the minute hand revolves once an hour either ahead or behind the equation hand depending on the date and to ensure Precision the landscape Rises during winter and lowers in summer ensuring the sun consistently Rises and sets at the precise time for that day of the year at the Pinnacle a Lunette meticulously records both the date and the month which does not yet complete this ingenious display of timekeeping Artistry coming to the left side dial this side of the clock shows the date on a large revolving dial in the center below three smaller dials on the upper right you can see which day of the week it is in the middle at the top there's a dial showing the month meanwhile on the left a dial controls how everything moves this control system works from a plate positioned at a 90° angle to the main plates the transfer of time happens through gears that power the back dial which interestingly shows the age and phases of the moon and high and low tides at 32 Cort the Moon is represented by a globe in the arch the tide on the other hand is indicated by a silver painted wave that rises and Falls according to a complex mechanism lastly there's the right side dial that shows an aary or a model of the solar system this side of the clock shows the position of the planets in their orbits according to the system of cernus as they move around their orbits erly Norton's astronomical clock is beautifully housed in a mahogany case with silver and enamel dials and mounts it has a three Trin fusy driven movement with a jewel old deadbeat escapement and an unusual offset crutch arm the clock also features a pendulum at the back of the clock behind the back dial this one-of aind clock is considered one of Norton's masterpieces and of course one of the most sophisticated astronomical clocks ever made 200 lawner bags Queen Elizabeth II was one of the most influential and iconic figures of the 20th and 21st centuries among the many elements that defined her royal look one of the most recognizable was her handbag the queen was rarely seen without a luner London purse hooked on her arm whether she was attending a state visit a royal tour or a birthday celebration she treated her handbags like an appendage permanently in view whatever the occasion the queen also often had it with her while strolling through Buckingham palace's corridors or relaxing on the sofa to watch television L London is a British luxury leather goods company that was founded by Sam laer in 1940 ler specializes in making elegant and classic handbags with fine craftsmanship and quality materials the company received a royal warrant in 1968 8 which meant that it was officially recognized as a supplier of goods to the royal family in fact Queen Elizabeth is reported to have received her very first laer bag from her mother Queen Elizabeth the queen mother in the 1950s she was impressed by the design and durability of the bag and soon became a loyal customer of the brand she commissioned lawner bags via her personal advisor and Senior dresser Angela Kelly who would select the styles and colors that suited the Queen's outfits and preferences the queen had two favorite models of LW bags namely the Royale and the travata the Traviata costs more than $2,550 while the Royale comes in at the price of $2,242 she particularly favored these models thanks to their long handles these bags were of patent leather with every bag taking about 8 hours to make they also came in various bright colors but her majesty always preferred the black patent Styles the queen liked to match her bags with her hats and coats creating a coordinated and colorful look she also liked to have some custom features on her bags such as longer hand to avoid creasing her gloves silk Linings to match her outfits or extra Pockets to store her personal items the Queen's handbags were not just accessories they were also tools of communication the queen used her bags to send subtle signals to her staff and guests indicating when she wanted to end a conversation or leave an event for example if she placed her bag on a table it meant that she wanted to leave within 5 minutes and if she dropped her bag on the floor it meant that she wanted to be rescued from a boring or unpleasant conversation well that's a secret code I would love to have handy for my next outing with my friends the Queen's handbags were also repositories of Secrets the queen never revealed what she kept inside her bags but some sources have speculated that she carried some essential items such as a compact mirror lipstick a handkerchief some mints a fountain pen and her reading glasses she also reportedly carried some more unusual items such as a portable hook to hang her bag under tables although the actual worth of the Queen's collection of Lun bags is unknown it is estimated to be worth around £400,000 but based on the average price of £2,000 per bag just like the late Monarch herself her bags were witnesses to some of the most important events and moments of her Reign such as meeting world leaders visiting foreign countries and celebrating Milestones the Queen's collection of luner bags is no doubt one of the most remarkable her bags were more than just handbags they were companions for Life The Royal Garden when it comes to the topic of gardens the Buckingham Palace Garden is an extraordinary example of a walled Oasis in the middle of London it covers about 16 hectar and boasts a rich diversity of plants animals and historical features the garden dates back to the 17th century when James I established a plantation of mures for the rearing of silk worms on the site however the scheme failed because the wrong type of mury Bush was chosen today the garden boasts a diverse array of 45 mulbury tree varieties and since the year 2000 it has proudly housed the national collection of mulberries the garden became part of the royal property in 1761 when George III bought Buckingham house as a a private residence for his consort Queen Charlotte during their reign the garden was home to a collection of exotic animals including an elephant and one of the earliest zebras seen in England the garden later underwent a major transformation in the 19th century when George ivth converted Buckingham house into Buckingham Palace the new design included a lake and an artificial High bank called the mound among other additions recent Renovations of the garden in the 20th and 21st centuries also came with new features such as a tennis court also within the gardens confines flourish 325 wild plant species along with 30 species of breeding birds and a splendid canopy of over 1,000 trees this arboreal Wonderland comprises 98 Majestic plain trees and a diverse assembly of 85 distinct Oak species the Buckingham Palace Garden also acts as a refuge for London's rarely spotted native birds including the common Sandpiper sge wobbler and lesser white throat the garden is not only a place of beauty and Tranquility but also a venue for official entertainment and celebratory events among the gardens renowned Gatherings are the garden parties a tradition dating back to Queen Victoria's reign where approximately 24,000 guests from diverse backgrounds are warmly invited each summer Beyond these the garden plays host to an array of events including concerts receptions investitures and state visits the Royal Garden at Buckingham Palace is a unique and fascinating attraction that is open to the public for a limited period each year usually from July to October visitors can explore the garden at their own pace or join a guided tour that covers some of the highlights of the garden they also get to enjoy a picnic on one of the sweeping Lawns overlooking the palace after the tour chandeliers chandeliers are one of the most striking features of Buckingham Palace the palace has an estimated 800 chandeliers throughout its 775 rooms which include 19 State rooms 52 Royal and guest bedrooms 188 staff bedrooms 92 offices and 78 bathrooms the chandeliers are made of various materials such as crystal and glass and they reflect different styles and period periods of History the chandeliers in Buckingham Palace have a long and fascinating history dating back to the reign of King George IV in the early 19th century George IV was a lavish spender and a patron of the Arts who transformed Buckingham house into a grand palace with extensive Renovations and additions he commissioned several chandeliers from the leading manufacturers of the time such as Parker and Perry maintaining these impressive lightings required huge Manpower this was why King George iv used more than 30 workers to keep the candles in Chand chers lit around the palace these chandeliers were designed to impress and Dazzle the guests at Royal balls and banquets and they still do so today one notable set of chandeliers in Buckingham Palace are those in the throne room which was also created by George IV as a setting for his coronation banquet in 1821 the throne room has seven chandeliers that give off light equivalent to 3,000 candles other rooms in Buckingham Palace are also decorated with exquisite chandeliers these light fixtures are also subject to regular maintenance and cleaning which is a challenging and timec consuming task the palace has a team of experts who take care of the chandeliers using special techniques and equipment to ensure their safety and preservation but thankfully cleaning them is getting easier by the day for example the glass pieces are now modernized so that they can be effortlessly controlled using a remote this allows them to be conveniently lowered and raised for cleaning purposes the chandeliers in Buckingham Palace are not only beautiful objects but also valuable assets According to some estimates the total worth of the chandelier collection in the palace is around millions of dollars this figure is based on the Rarity quality and historical significance of the chandeliers as well as their size weight and number of pieces Queen Victoria's gold piano Queen Victoria's gold piano in Buckingham Palace is an extraordinary piece of musical and artistic history that can be found in the white drawing room at Buckingham Palace it also caused a buzz on social media when the public caught sight of the gold gilded instrument in the background as the queen delivered her annual Royal Christmas message this piano is Queen Victoria gold piano made by S and P erard a French firm that was famous for producing highquality pianos for many of the greatest composers and performers of the 19th century such as chopan list Mendelson and Vagner erard was also known for inventing the double escapement action which allowed rapid repetition of a single key and enabled more virtuosic playing talking about the value of the piano it is hard to place an estimate on it as the piano is a one-of-a-kind handp painted model Masterpiece that has historical and sentimental significance however based on some comparisons with other erard grand pianos from the same period it could be worth around £ 138,000 which is equivalent to $175,000 the piano was made for Queen Victoria in 1856 as both she and her husband Prince Albert shared her love of Music they often played Duets together on the piano and hosted musical guests such as Felix mendleson who was one of the Queen's favorite composers though the piano is not a standard model it is a unique creation that tells Tales of Royal taste and style it is made of mahogany satin wood and pine with brass and guilt bronze mounts the case is gilded with gold leaf and painted by franois Theodor Rosa a miniature painter who worked for the royal family the paintings depict cherubs and monkeys playing musical instruments and causing Mischief a style known as singery with the unique features and decorations on Queen Victoria's piano it is safe to say that its price estimate does not take into account the artistic value of the paintings and the gilding nor the Royal provenance and Association therefore the actual value of the piano could be much higher Royal corgis the Royal corgis were the Pembrook Welsh Corgi dogs owned by Queen Elizabeth II and her parents King George I 6 and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother the queen was very fond of corgis since she was a small child having fallen in love with the cories owned by the children of the Marquis of bath and throughout the years 1933 to 2018 the late Monarch owned at least one Corgi she also owned more than 30 corgis from her accession in 1952 until she died in 2022 the Royal corgis gained worldwide Fame and came to symbolize the British Monarchy even in their passing these beloved dogs left an enduring Legacy with their images immortalized in various forms of art including statues professional photographs and paintings the first Royal Corgi was duie who was brought home by King George V 6 in 1933 in fact a photograph from George V 6's photo album shows the late Queen when she was just 10 years old with dookie and another early favorite Corgi named Jane at balm moral following the death of du at the start of World War II and James's death after she was accidentally run over and killed in 1944 Susan became the first Pembrook Welsh Corgi to belong solely to Elizabeth and also became the foundation of a royal breeding program she received this new Corgi as a gift on her 18th birthday in 1944 the same year Jane died the dog was officially registered as hickor Thrift pipper but everyone knew her as sue a name that eventually morphed into Susan the bond between Susan and Elizabeth grew so strong that Susan joined the princess on her honeymoon with Prince Phillip concealed under blankets in the Royal Carriage as an additional expression of her love for her pets Queen Elizabeth also went as far as personally overseeing a program of Pembrook Welsh Corgi breeding at Windsor Castle Her Majesty's meticulously bred purebred puppies proudly bore The Windsor kennel name as part of their Monica and interestingly Susan became the ancestral matriarch to all of Queen Elizabeth's corgis the Queen's corgis were not only her pets but also her Companions and confidants they accompanied her on official trips stayed with her at various residences and greeted guests and dignitaries the corgis also relished their privileged life within Buckingham Palace where they had a specially designed room dedicated to their comfort famously referred to as the Corgi room in addition to this the dogs had a disciplined regimen for their meals health and grooming they were served in their own dishes approved by Veterinary experts and even had their own wicker baskets the Royal corgis were nothing short of celebrities as they featured in various media and cultural events they appeared on magazine covers stamp coins and television shows three of the Beloved Royal corgis were also part of the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics where they escorted the queen and James Bond to a helicopter that supposedly took them to the stadium besides her Human family Elizabeth is survived by two corgis a Cocker Spaniel and a doggy which of these historical items in Queen Elizabeth's 5 billion do Buckingham Palace do you find the most interesting tell us your thoughts in the comments also for more captivating videos like this click on one of the cards currently displayed on your screen