King Charles and Queen Camilla will remain at Clarence House as their official residence, a decision that comes as no surprise to a former member of his household. Grant Harrold, who served as royal butler to Charles between 2004 and 2011, revealed that the King confided his preference to him years before the death of the late Queen.
Speaking to Reach PLC, Harrold said: "The King actually told me about his plans to keep Clarence House as his main residence years ago, long before he became monarch. So the news isn't really a surprise; I think it's always been on the cards. I knew that this would be a call he would eventually make and announce publicly."
Renovation of Buckingham Palace
The extensive renovation works at Buckingham Palace, reported to cost £369 million, are due to be completed by March 2027. Despite this, Charles and Camilla will stay at Clarence House, where they have lived for over 20 years. The decade-long refurbishment is funded through a temporary increase in the Sovereign Grant and involves replacing outdated cables, lead pipes, wiring, and boilers, many for the first time in 60 years, following concerns about fire and water damage.
Buckingham Palace has been the official London residence of the British monarch since Queen Victoria ascended the throne in 1837. Six kings and queens have used it as their base, most recently Queen Elizabeth II. Royal officials say the decision to keep Charles at Clarence House is partly to allow greater public access to the historic landmark, as having the King in residence would restrict visitor areas due to security concerns.
Practical and Personal Reasons
With both Charles and Camilla approaching 80 in the next few years, they are reportedly reluctant to face the disruption of relocating themselves and their staff. Harrold explained: "The King and Camilla love Clarence House. They've lived there for over two decades and they've really made it their home. It's their style and it's homely, their private place away from the spotlight. They also have the benefit of it being just down the road from Buckingham Palace, so they can pop there very easily whenever needed."
Harrold noted that the private areas of Buckingham Palace are "very dated" and the building is "very, very large," making it impractical for daily living. "Getting from a room on one side of it to a room on the other is quite a journey, and we've got to remember they're getting older. It's not overly practical," he said. However, he added that the Palace remains ideal for state occasions and will continue to be used for that purpose.
Modernising the Monarchy
Harrold described the announcement about greater public access as a "telling detail" and "another sign of modernising." He also suggested it could be a "clever PR move," coinciding with King Charles publicly releasing details of his personal tax bill for the first time.
