BBC Breakfast hosts Sarah Campbell and Charlie Stayt opened Friday's (June 26) episode with a royal update: King Charles and Queen Camilla have no plans to return to Buckingham Palace following a £369 million refurbishment. The show's main story broke that the monarch and his wife will instead continue to use Clarence House as their London residence.
Royal Accounts Reveal Tax Bill
Charlie Stayt added that royal accounts show the King paid £12.9 million in tax for the financial year ending April 2025, becoming the first monarch to publicly disclose his tax bill. The palace, which has served as the official London residence of the UK sovereign since 1837, will remain the administrative headquarters of the monarchy.
BBC correspondent Tom Symonds explained that the King's decision allows greater public access to the landmark. A 10-year refurbishment of Buckingham Palace, funded through a temporary increase in the Sovereign Grant, is due to be completed in March.
Official Statement on Residence
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."
However, the King and Queen will still use private rooms within the Palace during the working day. Chalmers added: "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. This is both a change from the past and a recognition of the future. Let me be clear, however, in all other ways the Palace will continue to be both the ceremonial and operational centre of royal life."
BBC Breakfast airs daily from 6am on BBC One and iPlayer.
