What is the history behind Tower Bridge?
Tower bridge was built in 1894, to ease road traffic while maintaining river access to the busy pool of london docks. Built with giant movable roadways that lift up for passing ships, it is to this day considered an engineering marvel and beyond being one of london’s favourite icons. A brief history of tower bridge tower bridge stands as it was built in 1894. It may look a lot older than its 130 years but that was all part of sir horace jones and sir john wolfe barry’s plan. Its neo-gothic design was chosen to blend with the tower of london, a request by queen victoria.
Does the royal family own the Tower of London?
As monarch, Elizabeth II owned the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, Kensington Palace, Banqueting House and Kew Palace ‘in Right of crown’. Along with the Crown Jewels – which are kept under armed guard at the Tower – the palaces are held in trust by the reigning king or queen on behalf of the nation. Occupied Royal Palaces, such as Buckingham Palace, are not the private property of The Queen. They are occupied by the Sovereign and held in trust by Crown Estates for future generations. The Queen privately owns two properties, Balmoral Castle and Sandringham House, which are not publicly funded.