§ Mr. Buchan-HepburnOsborne House was presented to the nation by King Edward VII as a memorial to Queen Victoria, and its future use was laid down in the Osborne Estate Act, 1902. In accordance with that Act, the greater part of Osborne House is used as a convalescent home, mainly for serving and retired officers of Her Majesty's Forces and for serving established civil servants. The State Apartments, the Swiss Cottage and part of the grounds are open to the public during the summer. Since 1955, by Command of Her Majesty The Queen, the Private Apartments of Queen Victoria have also been open to the public.