King Charles III will not live in Buckingham Palace after refurbishment
Breaking a tradition of nearly 200 years, King Charles III and Queen Camilla will remain at Clarence House after the palace refurbishment is complete.
King Charles III will not live in Buckingham Palace after refurbishment
King Charles III will not reside at Buckingham Palace following the conclusion of a decade-long refurbishment program, breaking a tradition that has lasted nearly 200 years. The decision was announced Thursday, June 25, 2026, during a briefing regarding royal finances.
The refurbishment project, which began in 2017, cost 369 million pounds ($487 million). The program was designed to update obsolete heating, wiring, and plumbing to ensure the building could support the monarchy for another 50 years. While the work is scheduled for completion next year, the king and Queen Camilla will instead remain at Clarence House, a stately residence where Charles lived during his time as Prince of Wales.
Despite the change in residence, royal officials stated that the palace will remain the ceremonial and operational center
of the monarchy. The king and queen will continue to work from the site.
"It is and will remain Monarchy HQ, the crown jewel of our national buildings,"
James Chalmers, senior royal official responsible for managing the king's financial affairs, via Associated Press
By opting not to live in the 775-room palace, the monarchy intends to expand public access. James Chalmers noted that the decision will allow for more events and an increase in the number of tours and visitors. The palace currently attracts approximately 700,000 visitors annually.
The move comes as the royal family attempts to modernize the 1,000-year-old institution and move past negative headlines. Specifically, the monarchy is seeking to distance itself from Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, following reports of his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. According to Craig Prescott, an expert on constitutional law and the monarchy at Royal Holloway, University of London, increased transparency helps create a greater contrast with Mountbatten-Windsor.
As part of this push for transparency, King Charles III became the first British monarch to reveal the taxes he paid to the government. Although he released tax details as Prince of Wales, he had not done so since ascending the throne in 2022 after the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
| Person | Tax Paid (GBP) | Tax Paid (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| King Charles III | 12.9 million pounds | $16.1 million |
| Prince William | 7.76 million pounds | Not provided |
The king's tax payment rose from 11.7 million pounds the previous year. These taxes apply to his personal income, derived largely from his privately owned estates at Sandringham on the east coast of England and Balmoral in Scotland, as well as capital gains from asset sales. Prince William, the current Prince of Wales, also released his details, showing a decrease from 8.34 million pounds in the previous year to 7.76 million pounds in 2024-25.
Buckingham Palace, built in the 1820s (though one source notes it was built in 1703 and converted to a palace in the 1820s), has served as the London home for every monarch since Queen Victoria. It remains a global focal point, serving as the backdrop for parades on The Mall and the site of historic balcony appearances for marriages, the end of wars, and events like the 70-year reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
Some observers are questioning the long-term utility of the building if it is no longer a primary residence. Ed Owens, author of After Elizabeth: Can the Monarchy Save Itself
, told the Associated Press that he is waiting to see if there is a more radical proposal
for the future of the palace, expressing hope for a second act
so the building does not lie vacant for much of the year.
The royal household expects the refurbishment project to be finalized next year.
