White Palace (Marghazar)

[1][2] The greenery of the gorgeous landscape persuaded the then King of Swat, Miangul Abdul Wadud (Badshah Sahib) in 1935 to build a summer resort here.

The King brought marble from Agra, bronze from Belgium, and artisans from Turkey who designed and constructed the palace, completing it in 1941.

There are 24 active spacious decorated rooms and the Royal Suite (ex-King's bedroom) where Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom, and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh stayed for three days in 1961.

On the left side of the palace is situated a six-roomed Lord's Block for the residence of ministers and advisors.

In front of the lawn, there is a single balcony with marble benches and a table with engraved paintings of grapes.

The material for the White Palace was imported from Jaypure India, the same quarry that supplied marble to the Taj Mahal Agra.