St. James's Palace is one of London's oldest and most historic palaces. It is situated on The Mall in London, just north of St. James's Park. It was built in the late-1530s by Henry VIII, on the site of St James's Hospital, a former leper hospital. The palace was a primary royal residence only briefly, during the reign of Elizabeth I and the late-17th and early-18th centuries.
In 1952, Elizabeth II made her first speech as Queen from St James's Palace. The Tudor palace is still the Court's official headquarters and tradition dictates that foreign ambassadors to the UK are known as 'Ambassador to the Court of St James'.
Although St James's Palace is closed to the public, you can explore Friary Court on Marlborough Road and attend Sunday services at the Chapel Royal. Charles I took holy communion at the Chapel Royal on the morning of his execution, and Victoria and Albert were married here.
Today St. James's Palace remains a busy working palace. The State Apartments are being used for entertaining during in-coming State Visits, and for other ceremonial and formal occasions. Most of the charities associated with the Royal Family attend official receptions here.
Clarence House, the former London home of the late Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, is within the St. James's Palace environs and provides a London home for The Prince of Wales and his two sons.
Lancaster House, another building in the Palace complex, is used for government hospitality.
St James's Palace
The Mall, London SW1
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