Buckingham Palace to undergo multi-million pound refurb before King Charles moves in
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King Charles III is apparently "no fan" of Buckingham Palace and isn't planning to take up residence there until an extensive refurbishment – estimated to cost £369 million – is completed.
"I know he is no fan of 'the big house', as he calls the Palace," a source told The Sunday Times. "He doesn’t see it as a viable future home or a house that’s fit for purpose in the modern world. He feels that its upkeep, both from a cost and environmental perspective, is not sustainable."
Buckingham Palace – which was Queen Elizabeth II's official long-term residence – boasts 775 rooms, including 19 staterooms, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms. The Palace is currently undergoing a huge restoration and repair job, said to be at a cost of £369 million.
"It is expected that the necessary works will be completed for Their Majesties to take up residence in 2027," a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said. "In the interim period, the Palace will be fully utilised for official business wherever practicable."
A second source told the newspaper that Queen Consort Camilla "doesn’t want to live at Buckingham Palace" either. The pair currently live at Clarence House on The Mall in London, which is just a short walk from the Palace.
Previously, Charles had laid out plans to essentially live in a 'flat above a shop' when he ascended to the throne. "The Prince of Wales strongly believes that these places have got to deliver something for the public beyond just being somewhere for members of the Royal Family to live," an insider told the Daily Mail.
Referencing Buckingham Palace, the source added: "Despite what everybody thinks about him not wanting to live there, he will certainly have accommodation there – but it will be a much more modest flat-above-the-shop situation akin to that of the Prime Minister at Downing Street."
The insider continued: "Everything is seen through the lens of the question: 'What value is this offering to the public?'"
Last year, property maintenance for all royal residences cost £17.1 million, compared with £18.6 million the previous year – so, with Charles reportedly making plans to open up the Palaces to the public, ticket sales could reduce the amount of taxpayer funds required for such maintenance.
"Charles wants to bring people in to connect with the institution," The Sunday Times' source continued. "He recognises it needs to keep evolving, and in the modern era people want to be able to access their Palaces. He embraces that and sees them as public places more than private spaces."
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