King Charles and Queen Camilla have decided not to return to Buckingham Palace as their official London residence once the £369 million refurbishment is completed next March. Instead, Clarence House will remain their London home for the remainder of the King's reign, according to a palace spokesperson.
Decision to Increase Public Access
The 10-year renovation project, which replaced boilers, electrical cables, and pipes to reduce fire and flood risks, is drawing to a close. However, the King and Queen have opted to continue living at Clarence House, where Charles has resided since 2003, to allow greater public access to the palace. James Chalmers, Keeper of the Privy Purse, stated: “After careful consideration, and to greatly increase opportunities for public access, the King and Queen have decided not to adopt Buckingham Palace as a personal residence and will instead continue to use Clarence House as their London home.”
While the palace will remain “Monarchy HQ,” the King and Queen will have access to private rooms for daytime use, with potential for future residential accommodation. A palace spokesperson emphasised: “His Majesty retains huge affection for Buckingham Palace and a deep respect for its role in royal and public life. It will be a buzzing hive of royal activity in every other way.”
Historical Context and Future Plans
Buckingham Palace has served as the official royal seat since Queen Victoria in 1837. The tradition of the monarch residing there is now being broken, though the palace will continue hosting garden parties, receptions, and ambassador audiences. The late Queen Elizabeth II last stayed overnight at the palace six years ago, shortly before the first Covid lockdown. There is speculation that Prince William may also choose not to live at the palace when he becomes King.
Mr. Chalmers added: “This is both a change from the past and a recognition of the future. 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.”
Criticism Over Cost
The decision has drawn criticism from campaigners like Graham Smith, chief executive of Republic, which advocates for an elected head of state. Smith said: “Despite ongoing concerns about the huge cost of the royals, the grant will remain hugely inflated on its initial level of £31 million in 2012. If that had risen by inflation the grant would stand at £45 million, not £100 million. The government agreed to spend £369 million on refurbishing Buckingham Palace, and now Charles doesn’t want to use it. But he’ll keep it under lock and key for when he does. Clearly, the palace needs to be fully open to the public all year round.”
Between 2024 and 2025, over 683,000 visitors toured Buckingham Palace despite reduced access. Royal estates and exhibitions attracted an estimated 2.3 million visitors, generating over £90 million in ticket sales with a net profit of around £14 million.
Royal Finances
Recent royal accounts revealed the King paid £12.9 million in tax for 2024-25, his first-ever tax bill, placing him among the country’s top 100 taxpayers. The Prince of Wales also disclosed his tax payments for the first time: £7.76 million in income and capital gains tax for 2024-25, and £8.34 million the previous year. The Sovereign Grant, funding the King's official duties, rose by £45.8 million to £132.1 million in 2025-26, with the core element nearly doubling from £51.8 million in 2024-25 to £99.9 million in 2027-28.
