King Charles and Queen Camilla have decided not to move into Buckingham Palace after its £369 million refurbishment, instead keeping Clarence House as their official London residence for the remainder of his reign. The palace will remain the operational headquarters of the monarchy, known as 'Monarchy HQ,' but the King and Queen will only use private rooms there during working days.
Decision to Boost Public Access
The decision was made partly to increase public access to the iconic London landmark, which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. When the sovereign is in residence, security restrictions limit visitor numbers and accessible areas. A palace spokesperson said: '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.'
James Chalmers, Keeper of the Privy Purse, confirmed: '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.'
Refurbishment Details and History
The 10-year renovation project, due for completion in March 2027, involved replacing boilers, electrical cables, and pipes at a cost of £369 million to mitigate fire and flood risks. The tradition of using Buckingham Palace as the official royal seat began with Queen Victoria in 1837, who transformed the grounds for family life, entertainment, and official duties.
Charles has lived at Clarence House, previously the home of the Queen Mother, since 2003. He will continue to host events at Buckingham Palace, including garden parties, receptions, and audiences with new ambassadors. The late Queen Elizabeth II's apartment will be available for the King and Queen during the day.
Criticism and Financial Context
The decision has drawn criticism from campaigners. Graham Smith, chief executive officer of Republic, which advocates 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 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.'
Between 2024 and 2025, over 683,000 visitors toured Buckingham Palace despite reduced opening days and closed sections. An estimated 2.3 million people visited royal estates and exhibitions, generating over £90 million in ticket sales and a net profit of around £14 million.
Royal Finances and Tax Details
Royal accounts published on Thursday revealed the monarch's first-ever tax bill: £12.9 million for 2024-25, placing Charles among the country's top 100 taxpayers. The previous year's bill was £11.7 million, with over £30 million in total tax paid 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 and household operations, rose by £45.8 million to £132.1 million in 2025-26. The core element covering travel, property maintenance, and payroll has nearly doubled in three years, from £51.8 million in 2024-25 to £99.9 million in 2027-28.
