The working royal seat since Victoria: Buckingham with its famous balcony — the fur-hatted, band-led Changing of the Guard London's most famous free rite, and the opulent State Rooms opening to visitors in the King's summering months. The change runs set days (check online) — arrive 45 minutes early for front railing; the Victoria Memorial angle reads balcony and procession together — the smart spot; State Rooms (usually Jul-Sep) earn their ticket in rarely offered splendor.