King Charles's historic decision not to live at Buckingham Palace following a £369 million taxpayer-funded refurbishment will 'rub away' the magic of the iconic building, according to royal expert Jennie Bond. Despite the renovations, Charles and Queen Camilla will remain at Clarence House, ending nearly 200 years of monarchs residing at the palace since Queen Victoria in 1837.
Public Expectation and Royal History
There was a general expectation that the King would move into Buckingham Palace once works were completed, given its close association with the late Queen, who had an apartment there. However, Charles has decided it will not be the official residence of his reign, instead continuing to live at Clarence House, his home since 2003, while also maintaining residences in Scotland, Gloucestershire, Norfolk, and using Windsor Castle.
The decision ends a tradition dating back to Queen Victoria in 1837. Tourists and visitors flock to the palace each year to catch a glimpse of the famous building, and Bond believes its allure could be compromised.
Royal Expert's View
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told the Mirror: 'There's no denying that part of the attraction of the Palace was always to stand by the railings and look up to see if there was a curtain twitching and a crowned head peeking out! It's all a fantasy, of course, because the private apartments are tucked back and, in any case, no one has lived at the Palace now for nearly seven years. Has anyone noticed? Probably not.'
She added: 'There will still be a chance to see the King or other members of the family popping into the Palace for meetings or events. The garden parties will still take place, and the Changing of the Guard will be the same spectacle. But there's no denying that a bit of the magic will have been rubbed away.'
Increased Public Access and Revenue
The decision has been taken partly to increase public access to the London landmark, as security concerns if the King was in residence would limit the numbers and areas people could visit. 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.'
Bond noted a potential upside: 'On the plus side, there's going to be a lot more public access to the Palace – and that will bring both revenue and pleasure. But you do have to wonder why on earth £370 million of taxpayers' money has been used to renovate a Palace which, for the foreseeable future, will never be occupied by royalty.'
Refurbishment and Future Use
The large London building has been undergoing a 10-year re-servicing project replacing boilers, electrical cables, and pipes costing £369 million to reduce fire and flood risk, due to be completed next March. Charles will continue to host events at the palace, including garden parties, receptions, and audiences with new ambassadors. When the King is in London, his royal standard flies from both Buckingham Palace and Clarence House.
Bond concluded: 'I've been to the Palace many times and it's a great barn of a place. To my mind, it's all a bit gaudy. But I'm sure people will want to visit the many grand rooms and the gardens, if it is allowed, and the building will become a much-loved museum piece, while still housing many offices for the King's staff.'
