King Charles to Stay at Clarence House After Buckingham Palace Refit

King Charles III will not move into Buckingham Palace after its major refurbishment is completed in 2027, bringing an end to the tradition of British monarchs living at the historic residence.

Instead, the King and Queen Camilla will continue living at Clarence House, while Buckingham Palace remains the official home of the monarchy for state and ceremonial duties.

The announcement came as the royal household released its annual Sovereign Grant report, outlining the King's plans for the palace and providing a closer look at royal finances.

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Buckingham Palace to Focus on Official Royal Duties

Buckingham Palace has been the official London residence of British monarchs since Queen Victoria's reign. However, royal officials said King Charles believes the palace should primarily serve as a place for national events rather than as his private home.

The palace has been undergoing a Buckingham Palace refurbishment worth £369 million since 2017. The work includes replacing old electrical wiring, plumbing, heating systems, and other essential infrastructure to preserve the historic building for future generations.

Once the project is completed in 2027, Buckingham Palace will continue to host state banquets, investiture ceremonies, diplomatic receptions, and other official royal events. The King and Queen will still use private rooms in the palace when attending these engagements but will return to Clarence House as their main residence.

Officials said Clarence House offers a more practical and comfortable living space for the royal couple, making it their preferred home.

Financial Report Highlights King's Tax Payments

The royal household also released new details about King Charles' finances as part of its annual Sovereign Grant report. For the first time, officials revealed that the King voluntarily paid £12.9 million in taxes during the 2024-25 financial year. Since becoming monarch in 2022, he has paid more than £30 million in tax.

Much of the King's personal income comes from the Duchy of Lancaster, which generated £25.2 million during the year, along with returns from investments. The report also showed that Prince William paid £7.76 million in taxes during the same period.

To complete the Buckingham Palace refurbishment, the Sovereign Grant will increase to £137.9 million Sovereign Grant for the 2026-27 financial year. However, at King Charles' request, the annual grant will be reduced to around £100 million from 2027-28 onwards.

Royal officials said the refurbishment is necessary to protect one of Britain's most important historic buildings while improving its safety, efficiency, and long-term sustainability.

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By choosing to remain at Clarence House, King Charles is taking a practical approach while ensuring Buckingham Palace continues to serve its primary role as the centre of the British monarchy. The decision reflects his efforts to modernize the institution while preserving its traditions and maintaining one of the country's most important national landmarks.