The King and Queen will not live at Buckingham Palace once almost £370 million of refurbishment work to make the landmark fit for purpose has been completed.
The famous building will remain the operational centre of “monarchy HQ” but Charles has decided for his reign it will not be his official residence, and nearby Clarence House will remain his London home.
“His Majesty retains huge affection for Buckingham Palace and a deep respect for its role in royal and public life,” said a palace spokesperson. “It will be a buzzing hive of royal activity in every other way”.
The decision has been taken partly to increase public access to the London landmark popular with visitors, as security concerns if the King was in residence would limit numbers and areas people could visit.
A string of royal accounts were published on Thursday with key announcements including:
– The King has become the first monarch to publish their tax bill, £12.9 million for 2024-25 – putting him among the country’s top 100 taxpayers that financial year – and £11.7 million for 2023-24, with more than £30 million in total paid in tax by Charles since becoming King in 2022.
– The Prince of Wales released his tax details for the first time paying £7.76 million in income and capital gains tax in 2024-25, and £8.34 million in 2023-24.
– The Sovereign Grant, which funds Charles’s official duties and the work of his household, increased by £45.8 million to £132.1 million in 2025-26.
– The grant has a core element covering the cost of things such as travel, property maintenance and payroll and this has almost doubled in three years increasing from £51.8 million in 2024-25 to £99.9 million in 2027-28.
– William undertook the most expensive official overseas trip, making a round trip by charter plane to Saudi Arabia in February at a cost of £130,106, including separate staff planning visit.
James Chalmers, Keeper of the Privy Purse, said: “I can update you that 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.
“Their Majesties will, however, have access to private rooms within the palace where they can retire during the course of a working day, and which could be utilised as potential residential accommodation in times ahead.”
Queen Victoria was the first monarch to use Buckingham Palace as the official seat of court in 1837 and after marrying Prince Albert transformed the palace to accommodate their growing family, entertain guests and conduct official business.
The large London building has been undergoing a 10-year reservicing project replacing boilers, electrical cables and pipes costing £369 million to reduce the fire and flood risk which is due to be completed next March.
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.
“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, just as it has done since accession.”
There was a general expectation the King would live at Buckingham Palace as it was so closely associated with the late Queen who had an apartment at the residence which will be available to Charles and Camilla for use during the day when the reservicing work is completed.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “It will remain a working home but we are seeking to widen public access precisely to maximise the national benefit of a publicly funded building.”
Queen Elizabeth II last stayed overnight at the palace on March 18 2020 and the following day released a message to the nation, written from Windsor Castle, a few days before the first Covid lockdown was announced.
She wrote: “At times such as these, I am reminded that our nation’s history has been forged by people and communities coming together to work as one, concentrating our combined efforts with a focus on the common goal.”
The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh spent much of the lockdown at Windsor Castle being looked after by a reduced number of staff dubbed HMS Bubble.
There has been speculation William, who has recently moved his family to Forest Lodge in Windsor, will not live at Buckingham Palace when he is King.
Charles has lived at Clarence House, the former home of the Queen Mother, since 2003 and will continue to host a range of events at the palace from garden parties to receptions and hold audiences with new ambassadors.
When the King is in London his royal standard flies from both Buckingham Palace and Clarence House, whichever property he resides in.
Graham Smith, chief executive officer of Republic, which campaigns for an elected head of state, 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 spent £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.”
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