London: Breaking a 188-year-old royal tradition, Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla will not move into Buckingham Palace even after its massive 369-million-pound (approximately ₹4,300 crore) renovation is completed. According to the royal family’s latest financial report, the monarch has decided to retain Clarence House as his official permanent residence.
Buckingham Palace has served as the official London residence of British monarchs since 1837, during the reign of Queen Victoria. While the historic palace will remain the principal administrative and ceremonial headquarters of the monarchy, King Charles’s decision marks the first time in nearly two centuries that a reigning monarch has chosen to permanently reside elsewhere.
Palace officials stated that the primary motivation behind this shift is to increase public access to Buckingham Palace. Currently, tourists can only visit the historic State Rooms during the summer months. By residing outside the premises, the palace can remain open to the public for longer periods, boosting tourism revenue without compromising the complex security arrangements required for a resident monarch.
Age and comfort have also influenced the decision. King Charles and Queen Camilla, both over 70 years old, have resided at Clarence House—the former home of the Queen Mother located near St. James’s Palace—since their marriage in 2005. Officials indicated that the royal couple wishes to avoid the logistical upheaval of relocating their established household.
However, the King will continue to conduct the majority of his official duties from Buckingham Palace. State banquets, garden parties, weekly audiences with the Prime Minister, and diplomatic receptions for foreign dignitaries will proceed at the palace as usual. A suite of private rooms will also be maintained for the King to rest or stay overnight during busy schedules.
In a historic financial disclosure within the same report, King Charles has become the first British monarch to make his personal tax details public. The data shows he paid 12.9 million pounds in taxes for the 2024-25 fiscal year and 11.7 million pounds for 2023-24, placing him among the top 100 taxpayers in the United Kingdom.
The 10-year renovation project of Buckingham Palace, which began in 2017 funded by an increased Sovereign Grant, is scheduled to conclude in March next year. Following its completion, the Sovereign Grant allocation is projected to drop from 137.9 million pounds to 99.9 million pounds for the 2027-28 fiscal year, with surplus funds redirected toward maintaining other royal estates, upgrading cyber security, and installing energy-efficient heating systems.