King Charles to remain at Clarence House after Buckingham Palace refurbishment

King Charles has confirmed he will stay at his London residence, Clarence House, after the £369 million refurbishment of Buckingham Palace is finished next year, ending a two-century tradition of the palace serving as the monarch’s primary home. The renovation, which began in 2017, is updating the building’s electrical wiring, plumbing and heating systems.

James Chalmers, the king’s treasurer and keeper of the privy purse, said the palace will continue to function as the main venue for ceremonial and official events, including receptions for foreign dignitaries. > "It is and will remain monarchy HQ, the crown jewel of our national buildings, with the sovereign’s standard flying proudly from the roof whenever his majesty is in London," he told reporters.

The king has not spent nights at the palace since 2019, though private rooms will remain available for occasional use. About 700,000 visitors are expected to continue accessing the building each year, according to Chalmers, though specific details were not provided.

In a separate disclosure, officials revealed that Charles paid £12.9 million ($17.04 million) in tax for the 2024-25 fiscal year, marking the first public statement of his tax contributions. While the monarch is not legally required to pay income, capital gains or inheritance tax, Charles, following the precedent set by his mother, has voluntarily done so. He also paid £11.7 million in tax for 2023-24 and more than £30 million since ascending the throne in 2022.

The king receives a private income from the Duchy of Lancaster, estimated at £25.2 million for 2025-26, in addition to other holdings. Government funding known as the Sovereign Grant will total £137.9 million for 2026-27 but is slated to be reduced to £100 million in 2027-28, reflecting the king’s expressed wishes. Chalmers emphasized that the funding is not unlimited and that safeguards are in place to keep it proportionate.