King Charles III will continue living at Clarence House even after the multi-year refurbishment of Buckingham Palace is completed, as the royal household plans to open more of the historic palace to the public.
Royal officials said the king and Queen Camilla will continue to use Buckingham Palace for official duties, with the building remaining the monarchy's main ceremonial and administrative headquarters. However, the royal couple will not move into the palace and will instead remain at nearby Clarence House throughout Charles' reign.
James Chalmers, the senior royal official overseeing the king's finances, described Buckingham Palace as the monarchy's headquarters and one of Britain's most important historic buildings.
The announcement was made on Thursday during a briefing on royal finances, where Charles became the first British monarch to publicly disclose the amount of tax he paid. According to palace officials, the king paid £12.9 million (about $16.1 million) in income and capital gains tax during the 2024-25 financial year, compared with £11.7 million the previous year.
The update comes as the royal family seeks to shift public attention from renewed scrutiny over the links between convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and Prince Andrew, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. The controversy has overshadowed Charles' efforts to modernize the monarchy and demonstrate that the centuries-old institution can adapt to changing times.
Built in the 1820s, Buckingham Palace has served as the London residence of every British monarch since Queen Victoria. The 775-room palace houses royal offices, hosts state banquets for visiting world leaders and remains the focal point of major royal celebrations and national events.
The palace has undergone a 10-year, £369 million (about $487 million) renovation project since 2017 to replace outdated plumbing, electrical wiring and heating systems, ensuring the building remains fit for use for decades to come. The refurbishment is expected to be completed next year.
Keeping the king and queen at Clarence House will allow Buckingham Palace to welcome more visitors, host additional public events and expand tours of the landmark. The palace currently attracts around 700,000 visitors each year.