Buckingham Palace, the British monarch's present principal official residence, in London, was originally built as a hunting lodge by Tudor King Henry VIII. Thde mighty general duke of Buckingham bought it and transformed it into a palatial estate, but lost it trough debts. Several kings and/or their successors in waiting repeatedly rebuilt and furnished it to their vastly differing tastes, the main architect being the famous Nash, who instead of a knighthood got a trial for exceeding the budget as his then defunct king George IV instructed time and time. Its splendid art collection includes a especially rich Italians purchases. Queen Victoria's consort Albert and her party)loving heir Edward roughly give it the present magnificent state.