King Charles and Queen Camilla will not stay at Buckingham Palace following the residence’s refurbishments. The decision marks a break from a royal tradition of almost two centuries. Official reports have confirmed that the sovereign has decided to remain at Clarence House in the future.
King Charles and Queen Camilla will not live in Buckingham Palace
On Thursday, royal officials announced King Charles III’s decision to continue staying at Clarence House even after the 10-year refurbishment of Buckingham Palace concludes next year. The decision breaks the centuries-old tradition of Buckingham Palace being the primary residence of the British monarchy.
However, James Chalmers, the king’s treasurer and keeper of the privy purse, has confirmed that Buckingham Palace will continue to be the primary venue for official or ceremonial events. Speaking with the reporters, he stated, “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.”
Additionally, Chalmers stated that Buckingham Palace will have greater public access. However, he has not given any details yet.
The £369 million renovations at Buckingham Palace began in 2017 and are expected to finish in March 2027. According to the official website of the royals, the refurbishment program “will be funded through a temporary uplift in the Sovereign Grant.”
The royals have not resided permanently at the Palace after the renovations began. Since 2019, neither King Charles nor the late Queen Elizabeth II has stayed at Buckingham Palace overnight. The king will reportedly keep private rooms for accommodations at the Palace.
The renovation plans include replacing the “Palace’s boilers, electrical panels, cabling systems, water tanks and pipework.” As per the website, the refurbishment hopes to “significantly improve the visitor experience for the current half a million annual visitors, by improving accessibility for all.”
