Clarence House is set to remain the official London residence of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, even after the £369 million refurbishment of Buckingham Palace is completed.
Although Buckingham Palace will continue to serve as the administrative headquarters of the monarchy and the setting for major state occasions, royal accounts have confirmed that the King and Queen have decided to keep Clarence House as their permanent London home.
The decision is expected to allow greater public access to Buckingham Palace and reflects the couple's long-standing attachment to Clarence House, where they have lived together since their marriage in 2005. It is also understood that, now both in their late seventies, neither wished to undertake the upheaval of moving themselves and their staff into Buckingham Palace.
Standing beside St James's Palace in Westminster, Clarence House is one of the capital's most significant royal residences and one of the last remaining aristocratic townhouses in London still serving as both a family home and a historic property.
Who Lived in Clarence House?
While Queen Elizabeth II was alive, the then Prince and Duchess lived in Clarence House when in London, which stands beside St James’s Palace in Westminster and was the home of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh following their marriage in 1947.
The Queen Mother lived there from 1953 until her death in 2002. Charles then inherited the central London residence and, while it has undergone renovations, he has kept many of the rooms and the furniture just as they were when his grandmother lived there.
Did Queen Elizabeth II live in Clarence House?
It was the London home of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother from 1953 until 2002 and was also the home of The Queen, then Princess Elizabeth, and The Duke of Edinburgh following their marriage in 1947.
When first in residence, King Charles III carried out extensive renovations before moving into Clarence House on 4 August 2003.
Clarence House also provides office accommodation for The Prince of Wales's Household, who support the reigning monarch in their official engagements and liaise with over 350 organizations with whose work they are involved, according to Royal UK.
Who owns Clarence House?
Clarence House, one of the last remaining aristocratic townhouses in London, is an official residence owned by The Crown Estate.
According to The Crown Estate website: 'The Crown Estate belongs to the reigning monarch 'in right of The Crown', that is, it is owned by the monarch for the duration of their reign, by virtue of their accession to the throne.' Clarence House is not a private property of the monarch, which means it cannot be sold by the monarch, nor do revenues from it belong to the reigning monarch.
The Government also does not own The Crown Estate. It is managed by an independent organization – established by statute – headed by The Crown Estate Commissioners, and the surplus revenue from the estate is paid each year to the Treasury for the benefit of the nation's wealth and finances.
Is Clarence House open to the public?
Part of Clarence House is open to the public during the month of August, and visitors can be shown around five rooms on the ground floor. The décor is grand yet comforting, decorated with antique rugs and impressive chandeliers.
There are also personal photographs on display, including wedding photos and pictures of King Charles’ sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, when they were children. The former price also displays some of his own watercolor paintings.
While in residence, Charles would often host official visitors at Clarence House, most commonly in the formal living room, which has large, grand lamps, historic family paintings, and a light-blue-and-gold theme. The morning room boasts a large open fire, historic artwork, and antique furniture.
A keen gardener and environmentalist, King Charles III personally designed a formal area of the grounds in 2004 in honor of The Queen Mother, and the grounds have been carefully planned and tended.
The planting was laid out by members of The Prince’s School of Traditional Arts. Clarence House also provides offices for the Prince of Wales's household and is used by Charles and Camilla for receptions, official entertaining, and to host official visitors to the UK.
You don't need to travel to London to learn more about this historic home. You can do so through its official guide (available on Amazon).
Published in partnership with the Royal Collection to mark the Diamond Jubilee, this fully revised official souvenir guides offer a fascinating glimpse into some of Britain's most iconic royal residences and traditions.
