A new report has revealed King Charles and Queen Camilla will not live at Buckingham Palace following the completion of its renovation.
The £369 million refurbishment program is set for completion March but nearby Clarence House will remain their official home, as the monarchy seeks to increase public access to the palace.
Charles is the first British monarch to decline using the sprawling 775-room central London complex as their official residence since 1837, when Queen Victoria moved in.
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Charles and Camilla have lived together in Clarence House since their marriage in 2005.
Now both in their late 70s, it is understood neither wanted the upheaval of moving themselves and their staff across to Buckingham Palace, the BBC reported.
King Charles and Queen Camilla will remain at Clarence House, where they have lived since their marriage in 2005. Credit: AAP
Royal officials stressed the king and queen would continue to work out of the palace, which will remain “the ceremonial and operational centre” of the monarchy.
“His Majesty retains huge affection for Buckingham Palace and a deep respect for its role in royal and public life,” a palace spokesperson said, as per the BBC.
“It will be a buzzing hive of royal activity in every other way.”
A 10-year refurbishment of the palace — funded through a temporary increase in the Sovereign Grant which pays for the official duties of the royals — is due to be completed in March.
Ageing cables, lead pipes, wiring and boilers are set to be replaced in the renovation, many for the first time in 60 years.
Despite the decision, Buckingham Palace will remain the centre of royal activity. Credit: Getty
James Chalmers, who manages the monarch’s personal and household expenses, said under the plans, the king and queen would “have access to private rooms within the palace where they can retire during the course of a working day, and which could be utilised as potential residential accommodation in times ahead”.
“This is both a change from the past and a recognition of the future,” Chalmers said.
“Let me be clear, however, that in all other ways Buckingham Palace will continue to be both the ceremonial and operational centre of royal life.”
The decision will allow the palace to increase public access, hosting more events and expanding the number of visitors and tours of the building, Chalmers said.
The palace already receives about 700,000 visitors a year.
It currently opens its State Rooms to visitors each summer and selected dates throughout the rest of the year.
The announcement was contained in accounts which show the king has become the first monarch to release their tax payments.
It showed Charles was among the UK’s top 100 taxpayers in 2024-2025, paying £12.9 million for the period.
— With PA
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