Although plenty of tourists make their way inside Buckingham Palace on guided tours through the 19 public state rooms available for viewing, there are obviously a ton more areas of the massive palace that are for royal eyes only.
Well, for the royals and the dutiful staff members responsible for keeping their daily lives running smoothly, of course.
Considering there are a total of 775 rooms within the palace walls, it's no surprise that we've only managed to scratch the surface as outsiders. Even when we are allowed glimpses into areas like the kitchen or the ornate Throne Room in photographs and videos, we're still missing so much of the whole picture.
Over the years, former staff members have slipped a few especially surprising things they've claimed to find tucked away inside Buckingham Palace.
Take a look to get a better idea of what it's really like to be a member of the British royal family.
And be sure to SHARE all the fascinating finds with your friends!
Thumbnail Sources: Wikimedia Commons / Diliff
1. Tunnels Connecting The Royals To Places Around Town
There is reportedly an underground system connecting the palace to other important buildings like the House of Parliament and another royal residence, Clarence House, which has been occupied by Prince Charles and both of his sons over the years.
2. A "Haunted" Terrace
It's hard to avoid rumors of lingering spirits in places that have been around as long as Buckingham Palace, so of course there are whispers of ghosts haunting certain areas — like the monk who some have claimed to see near the palace's rear terrace.
3. Elizabeth And Philip's Separate Bedrooms
It's not uncommon for couples to prefer sleeping apart in order to guarantee a good night's rest, and the royals are no different. According to the author of Game of Crowns: Elizabeth, Camilla, Kate, and the Throne, the particular issue for the royal pair stems from Philip liking to sleep with the windows open — even in winter.
I don't blame the Queen for wanting to keep herself cozy!
4. An ATM In The Basement
The Queen specifically requested the device be installed by Coutts Bank in order to help busy staff members who were struggling to find the time to pay their bills and withdraw their money.
5. Centuries-Old Wine Vaults
The wine vaults, which date back to 1703, are the oldest section of the palace. They actually predate the standard royal occupancy by more than 100 years, as Queen Victoria made it the London residence of the British monarch in 1837.
6. 78 Different Bathrooms
It's good to know that no matter where someone might be in the gigantic building, they won't have to run far when nature comes calling.
7. Pantries Stocked With Hot Sauce
Apparently Queen Elizabeth likes things on the spicy side, so the kitchen staff always makes sure to have Tabasco sauce (which she bestowed with a Royal Warrant in 2009) lining their shelves.
8. A Doctor's Office Equipped For Surgeries
Giving a whole new meaning to "house calls," the palace is complete with its own medical staff. Queen Elizabeth even gave birth to all three of her sons inside the doctor's office here.
9. A Massive Stash Of Art In The Basement
While the Queen puts 450 different pieces on display that can be seen while taking the public tour of the palace, she has even more priceless works hidden below ground — including the largest collection of a Venetian artist known as Canaletto dating back to the 1700s.
His portrait of Westminster Abbey, shown above, was crafted in 1749.
10. The Queen's Secret Doors
In order for Elizabeth to easily travel to her appointments in the various state rooms from her own private settings, there are special hallways guiding her to secret entrances where her guests will be waiting for her.
Did you know how much was really going on behind the palace gates?
Be sure to SHARE all the fun facts about the royal abode with your friends!
