King Charles will not live at Buckingham Palace after the £369m refurbishment works are completed next spring, according to reports. The news comes with the publication of the annual royal finance reports, which reveal that the King and the Prince of Wales have paid over £50m in tax during the Carolean era.
King and Queen to Remain at Clarence House
Despite the significant investment in Buckingham Palace, it has been confirmed that Charles and Queen Camilla will continue to reside at their London home, Clarence House. The refurbishment of the 775-room palace began in 2017 and is scheduled for completion in March 2027. The palace will remain the symbol of the Royal Family, hosting state banquets, dinners, garden parties, and investitures, as well as serving as the central headquarters of the monarchy, but it will cease to be a residential home.
Similarly, the Prince and Princess of Wales have no plans to move into Buckingham Palace. The couple moved into Forest Lodge, which has been deemed their 'forever home', with their three children last year.
Royal Journalist Criticises Decision
Veteran royal journalist Phil Dampier believes the decision is a “big mistake” and risks a public outcry following the hundreds of millions spent on the palace’s refurbishment. He also argues that the building risks being seen as simply a museum and fears it will hamper the palace’s tourist appeal.
A palace spokesperson has downplayed the change, ending the centuries-old tradition of British monarchs residing at the iconic building. They stated: “The Palace will continue in every traditional way to be the beating heart of the Monarchy, just not its resting head.”
History of Clarence House and Buckingham Palace
Clarence House, located next to St James’s Palace and just a stone's throw from Buckingham Palace, has been the King’s London home since 2002, after he inherited it from the Queen Mother. Queen Camilla joined him at Clarence House one year later.
Buckingham Palace has served as the official home of British monarchs since 1837, though it hasn’t been used in over six years. The late Queen Elizabeth II moved out of the London residence at the start of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020 and never moved back due to her ailing health.
