King Charles and Queen Camilla Will Remain at Clarence House After Buckingham Palace Renovation

King Charles III and Queen Camilla will not reside at Buckingham Palace following the completion of its £369 million (approx. $487 million) renovation next year. In a significant departure from a tradition dating back to Queen Victoria in 1837, the monarch and queen will remain at nearby Clarence House, their primary London residence since their marriage. Officials, including James Chalmers, the King’s treasurer, stated that Buckingham Palace will retain its status as the ceremonial and operational headquarters of the monarchy, hosting state banquets, official audiences, and royal events. The decision is driven by practical considerations: the King and Queen, both in their late 70s, wish to avoid the disruption of moving, and keeping the palace unoccupied will allow for expanded public access, longer opening hours for tours, and increased security flexibility.

The announcement coincided with the release of the latest royal accounts, which revealed that King Charles is the first British monarch to publicly disclose his personal tax payments. He paid £12.9 million in taxes during the 2024-25 fiscal year, ranking him among the UK’s top 100 taxpayers. The accounts also highlighted a temporary increase in the Sovereign Grant to fund the palace’s infrastructure overhaul, including replacements for aging wiring and plumbing, with funding levels set to normalize once the project concludes. While the private residential aspect of the palace is diminishing, its role as a national landmark and income-generating asset through tourism is expected to strengthen.