King Charles and Queen Camilla to keep Clarence House as London residence after Buckingham Palace refurbishment
Following a £370 million renovation, the royal couple will not make Buckingham Palace their official home, opting to remain at Clarence House while the palace serves as the monarchy’s operational headquarters and expands public access.
King Charles and Queen Camilla have decided not to reside in Buckingham Palace once the ongoing £370 million refurbishment is completed. The palace will continue to function as the monarchy’s operational headquarters, but the couple will retain Clarence House as their London home.
The decision is intended to increase public access, as visitor numbers and open areas would be limited if the King were in residence.
"His Majesty retains huge affection for Buckingham Palace and a deep respect for its role in royal and public life," a palace spokesperson said. "It will be a buzzing hive of royal activity in every other way."
James Chalmers, keeper of the Privy Purse, explained that the King and Queen will have access to private rooms within the palace for use during working days, and those rooms could potentially serve as residential accommodation in the future. He added that Buckingham Palace will remain the ceremonial and operational centre of royal life and will continue to fly the sovereign’s standard when the King is in London.
The ten-year renovation, scheduled for completion next March, includes replacement of boilers, electrical cables and pipes. While the palace will host a range of events such as garden parties, receptions and ambassadorial audiences, it will also see expanded public visiting hours to maximise the benefit of the publicly funded building.