Charles III has made a decision not to reside at Buckingham Palace following the completion of a £369 million refurbishment program aimed at enhancing public access to the iconic building, which has served as the heart of royal life for nearly two centuries. Royal officials have confirmed that the king and Queen Camilla will continue to conduct their duties from the palace, maintaining its status as the “ceremonial and operational center” of the monarchy. However, for the remainder of Charles’s reign, the royal couple will stay at the nearby Clarence House.
James Chalmers, the senior royal official overseeing the king’s financial matters, emphasized that Buckingham Palace remains “Monarchy HQ,” a cherished national landmark. This decision was disclosed during a financial briefing where Charles became the first British monarch to disclose his tax payments to the government. In the 2024-25 fiscal year, the king paid £12.9 million in income and capital gains taxes, an increase from £11.7 million the previous year.
The announcement comes amidst efforts by the royal family to shift public focus away from the controversy surrounding former Prince Andrew, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, and his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The scrutiny on Mountbatten-Windsor has overshadowed Charles’s initiatives to modernize the monarchy and demonstrate its capacity to adapt as a thousand-year-old institution.
Buckingham Palace, originally constructed in 1703 and converted into a royal residence in the 1820s, has historically housed every British monarch since Queen Victoria. With its 775 rooms, the palace serves as office space for royal administration and hosts grand state banquets for visiting dignitaries. The palace is a significant public attraction, where spectators gather under its renowned balcony to witness historic royal announcements, celebrations, and events like Queen Elizabeth II’s platinum jubilee.
Recognizing the aging infrastructure of the palace, a comprehensive 10-year renovation project was initiated in 2017 to update outdated systems and ensure its suitability for royal use for the next half-century. Despite these upgrades, Charles and Camilla have opted to reside at Clarence House, providing an opportunity to expand public engagement with Buckingham Palace through increased events, visitor numbers, and tours. Presently, the palace welcomes approximately 700,000 guests annually.