King Charles still not moved into Buckingham Palace

The property in central London has 775 rooms, a private park with a tennis court and its own lake. The official rooms can still be visited for a few weeks. After that it will be closed again, also due to renovation work. Since the Queen’s death, however, one question has been raised: When will Charles actually move in? Photography is prohibited during the visit. In the summer, the official rooms have also been open to the public for years. Admission costs 35 euros. The palace is showing its age and is currently being renovated. In some places you can see scaffolding or a notice.

Renovation budget: 430 million euros

The renovations are due to last until 2027 and have a budget of £369m (about €430m). Electrical lines, pipes and heating systems have not been renewed since the 1950s, the royal family explains online. With the change on the British throne a year ago, there is also the question of how King Charles III. will use the palace in the future.

For a long time, Buckingham Palace was the home of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. She withdrew to Windsor Castle west of London with the pandemic and finally died on September 8, 2022 at her Scottish country estate of Balmoral. The palace in central London has always been her official residence.

It was here that she gave birth to Charles. In the garden she could walk her bustling corgis – trees were said to have been planted especially so that she had more privacy. To this day, guests from all over the world are received and garden parties are celebrated.

Is Buckingham Palace too uncomfortable for Charles?

The fact that Charles has not yet moved into the palace has led to speculation in the British media. The Telegraph newspaper recently ran the headline: “Why nobody wants to live in Buckingham Palace.” And put forward the thesis that the city palace was the most uncomfortable of the many residences that the king used during the year.

So far, Charles and his wife Camilla live just minutes away at Clarence House. The Times also wrote last October, citing an anonymous source, that Charles will carry out official duties from Buckingham Palace, but it is unlikely that this will also be his home.

Castle remains “headquarters of the monarchy”

In the palace, on the other hand, it is emphasized that there are still plans for the king to move after the renovation work is completed. The castle will remain the “headquarters” of the monarchy, the command center so to speak. However, it is neither possible nor practical for Their Majesties to move in the middle of a ten-year renovation program, officials said. Critics, however, question whether the move will actually happen, because Charles will already be in his 80s after the renovation is complete.

For the constitutional lawyer Craig Prescott, the question of how the royals will deal with their many estates is a central point for the future direction of the monarchy. Clarence House seems to be doing well as the royal couple’s residence. “And maybe that will open up new opportunities for Buckingham Palace in the future,” says Prescott. There have been discussions about leaving the palaces open longer throughout the year. It would also be conceivable for him that charities, with which the monarchy is connected, offer events there and use the buildings more. “That would show that the monarchy is opening up.”

Viewings are still possible

Responses to this have been cautious so far. A full program is taking place in Buckingham Palace – with receptions, lunch and garden parties, for example, according to palace circles. The team at the palace tries to receive as many people as possible. Any further opening must be carefully considered.

A lot remains hidden when you visit. According to the website, for example, in addition to the official rooms, there are 188 bedrooms for employees and 92 offices. The State Rooms can still be visited until the end of September.

You leave the site through the park. At the exit hangs a picture of Charles and Camilla taken on the day of the coronation. You leave the two in their crowns and robes behind. And suddenly stands again in front of the palace walls secured with barbed wire and video cameras.