King Charles III to stay at Clarence House after Buckingham Palace renovation
Following a decade-long, £369 million refurbishment, King Charles III and Queen Camilla will continue working from Buckingham Palace but will reside at nearby Clarence House, while the palace expands public access.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla will not live in Buckingham Palace after a ten-year, £369 million renovation is completed, officials said on Thursday. The couple will remain based at Clarence House, a residence close to the palace where Charles has lived since his time as Prince of Wales, while Buckingham Palace continues to serve as the "ceremonial and operational centre" of the monarchy.
James Chalmers, the senior royal official overseeing the king's finances, said the palace will stay "Monarchy HQ, the crown jewel of our national buildings" and that the move will allow greater public access, with more events, tours and visitors planned.
The refurbishment, begun in 2017 to replace aging plumbing, wiring and heating systems, is slated for completion next year. Buckingham Palace currently receives about 700,000 visitors annually.
The announcement coincided with the first public disclosure of the king's personal tax payments since ascending the throne. Charles reported paying £12.9 million in income and capital-gains taxes for the 2024-25 fiscal year, up from £11.7 million the previous year. Prince William also released his tax details, showing £7.76 million paid in the same period.
Legal scholar Craig Prescott said the transparency underscores the monarchy's public role and contrasts with the controversies surrounding Prince Andrew.
"It is and will remain Monarchy HQ, the crown jewel of our national buildings," Chalmers said.
"If they're open and as transparent as possible, then the contrast with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor becomes all the greater," Prescott added.