LONDON (UNIPA News) 25 June— Buckingham Palace will no longer serve as the permanent residence of the British monarch, even after the completion of its £369 million taxpayer-funded refurbishment next year, royal officials have confirmed.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla will continue to live at Clarence House, located across The Mall from Buckingham Palace, rather than move into the historic royal residence once renovation works are completed. The decision means Buckingham Palace, which has served as the principal residence of British monarchs since Queen Victoria moved there in 1837, will no longer be used as a royal home.
The announcement also indicates that future monarchs are unlikely to reside at the palace. Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, have already indicated they intend to remain at their private residence in Windsor after William succeeds to the throne, meaning the next sovereign is not expected to live in central London.
Despite the change in residential arrangements, Buckingham Palace will remain the operational headquarters of the monarchy. Royal officials said the palace will continue to host official engagements, including state visits, audiences, investitures, receptions, and garden parties, while the Royal Household will maintain its offices there. King Charles is expected to continue using the palace daily for official duties when in London before returning to Clarence House.
Royal aides said the palace will increasingly be opened to visitors throughout the year in an effort to generate additional revenue and reduce its financial burden on taxpayers. Officials described Buckingham Palace as the “Crown Jewel” of the nation’s historic buildings and insisted it would remain at the centre of royal operations.
The decision was announced by Keeper of the Privy Purse James Chalmers during the Royal Household’s annual financial review. He said the arrangement followed careful consideration by the King and his advisers as part of a broader strategy to modernise the monarchy and improve public access to the palace.
The financial review also disclosed that King Charles voluntarily paid £12.9 million in personal taxes during the 2024–25 financial year, bringing his total voluntary tax payments since ascending the throne to more than £30 million. Prince William also disclosed for the first time that he voluntarily paid £7.7 million in income tax and capital gains tax during the same period.
In addition, the report showed that funding for the monarchy will increase to £100 million annually to address maintenance backlogs at occupied royal palaces, strengthen cybersecurity, and improve energy efficiency. Royal officials said the increase does not represent unlimited public funding, noting that the allocation is expected to remain unchanged for the next five years.
The decision reflects a significant shift in how Buckingham Palace will be used in the future, transforming it from the monarch’s primary residence into the administrative and ceremonial centre of the British monarchy while expanding public access to one of the country’s most recognisable landmarks.
