King Charles and Queen Camilla will not take up residence at Buckingham Palace once its £369 million refurbishment is complete, Clarence House will remain their London home. The decision, announced alongside the publication of royal accounts on Thursday, aims to increase public access to the iconic landmark.
Buckingham Palace to Remain Monarchy HQ
Buckingham Palace will continue to function as the operational centre of the monarchy, hosting events such as garden parties, receptions, and audiences with new ambassadors. A palace spokesperson stated: “His Majesty retains huge affection for Buckingham Palace and a deep respect for its role in royal and public life. It will be a buzzing hive of royal activity in every other way.”
The King and Queen will have access to private rooms within the palace for daytime use but will not reside there overnight. James Chalmers, Keeper of the Privy Purse, explained: “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.”
First Monarch to Publish Tax Bill
In a historic move, the King published his tax bill for the first time, paying £12.9 million for 2024-25 and £11.7 million for 2023-24, totalling over £30 million since his accession in 2022. The Prince of Wales also 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 the King’s official duties, increased by £45.8 million to £132.1 million in 2025-26. The core element of the grant, covering travel, property maintenance, and payroll, has nearly doubled in three years, rising from £51.8 million in 2024-25 to £99.9 million in 2027-28.
Most Expensive Overseas Trip
The Prince of Wales undertook the most costly official overseas trip, a round trip by charter plane to Saudi Arabia in February, costing £130,106, including a separate staff planning visit.
Public Access Prioritised
The decision to keep Buckingham Palace as a working palace without a resident monarch was driven by security concerns that would limit public access if the King lived there. A 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 Victoria was the first monarch to use Buckingham Palace as the official seat of court in 1837. The current 10-year reservicing project, due for completion in March, replaces boilers, electrical cables, and pipes to reduce fire and flood risks.
Criticism from Republic
Graham Smith, CEO of Republic, which campaigns for an elected head of state, criticised the decision: “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 spend £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.”
Royal Standard Flies at Both Palaces
When the King is in London, his royal standard flies from both Buckingham Palace and Clarence House, whichever property he resides in. Charles has lived at Clarence House, the former home of the Queen Mother, since 2003.
