King Charles to Remain at Clarence House Despite £370 Million Buckingham Palace Refurbishment

LONDON: King Charles III and Queen Camilla will not move into Buckingham Palace after the completion of its £370 million refurbishment, ending nearly two centuries of the palace serving as the British monarch’s primary residence.

According to financial documents released by the Royal Household, the King and Queen have decided to continue living at Clarence House while Buckingham Palace will remain the ceremonial and operational headquarters of the British monarchy. The extensive renovation project, launched in 2017, is expected to conclude in 2027 and aims to modernize the palace’s ageing infrastructure, including its electrical wiring, plumbing and heating systems.

Royal officials said the decision would allow greater public access to Buckingham Palace while ensuring it continues to host state banquets, official receptions, investiture ceremonies and other major royal events. The palace, which has served as the monarch’s official London residence since the reign of Queen Victoria, will continue to function as the administrative center of the monarchy.

The announcement accompanied the release of new details about the Royal Family’s finances, including King Charles’ personal tax payments. In an unprecedented move aimed at increasing transparency, the King disclosed that he paid £12.9 million in taxes during the 2024–25 financial year, marking the first time a reigning British monarch has made such information public.

The financial report also outlined royal travel expenses for the year ending March 31, 2026. Among the highest-cost overseas engagements was the Prince of Wales’ three-day visit to Saudi Arabia, while the report detailed spending on helicopter flights, charter aircraft, rail travel and other official journeys undertaken by members of the Royal Family.