Concerns have emerged that King Charles and Queen Camilla may never take up permanent residence at Buckingham Palace following the renovation’s completion, according to a source.
The Buckingham Palace renovation programme commenced in 2017, with the Government committing £369 million of taxpayer money to the extensive project.
When the refurbishment was announced, royal officials dismissed suggestions that the then-Prince Charles planned to transform the palace into a “monarchy HQ” rather than residing at Clarence House.
“Buckingham Palace will remain the official residence of the monarch,” Clarence House stated at the time.
Concerns have emerged that King Charles and Queen Camilla may never take up permanent residence at Buckingham Palace following the renovation’s completion, according to a source.
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Since ascending to the throne in 2022, King Charles and Queen Camilla have continued to reside at Clarence House, which the King inherited from the Queen Mother following her death over two decades ago.
The couple favour the elegant family residence over the sprawling 775-room Buckingham Palace.
“Buckingham Palace will be used for royal events,” a source told the Mail. “There will be investitures, receptions and banquets, but the King and Queen won’t sleep there.”
The late Queen Elizabeth II spent most of her reign at Buckingham Palace before relocating to Windsor Castle in her final years.
Since ascending to the throne in 2022, King Charles and Queen Camilla have continued to reside at Clarence House
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The Government unveiled the Sovereign Grant Bill on Wednesday as part of its legislative package, introducing measures that will permit a reduction in public funding allocated to support the King’s official duties.
This new legislation addresses the completion of extensive modernisation works at Buckingham Palace, where electrical systems and plumbing have been undergoing significant upgrades.
Under existing rules, the annual grant cannot be decreased from one year to the next, a restriction that has remained in place throughout the palace renovation period.
The proposed Bill removes this limitation, creating a mechanism for the funding level to be adjusted downward once the refurbishment project reaches its conclusion.
For the current financial year of 2026/27, the Sovereign Grant stands at £137.9 million, covering both the royal family’s official engagements and maintenance of royal residences.
The Bill specifically establishes the grant amount for the 2027/28 period, permitting it to drop beneath this year’s figure.
Determining the precise sum will fall to the Royal Trustees’ Review, with its findings set to be published ahead of the legislation’s formal introduction to Parliament.
The Sovereign Grant operates through a distinctive arrangement whereby public funds are provided in return for the monarch relinquishing revenue generated by the Crown Estate, calculated on a two-year delay basis.
The royal household has expressed its backing for the legislation, acknowledging that funding no longer necessary should be removed from the grant allocation.
Over the past decade, the Crown Estate has delivered more than £5 billion to Treasury coffers, with its portfolio encompassing Regent Street in the West End and Ascot Racecourse among its substantial holdings.