King Charles III announces he will not live at Buckingham Palace

King Charles III announced this Thursday (June 25, 2026) that he will no longer live at Buckingham Palace after the completion of the building’s modernization works, scheduled for 2027. The king and Queen Camilla will continue to reside at Clarence House, while the palace will remain the official headquarters of the British monarchy. The information was released by Reuters.

The decision was presented during the release of the royal family’s annual financial report and marks a historic change. Buckingham Palace has served as the main London residence of British monarchs since the reign of Queen Victoria in the 19th century.

According to the Royal House, the building will continue to be used for official ceremonies, reception of heads of state, diplomatic events and administrative activities of the monarchy.

Renovation works began in 2017 and are estimated to cost 369 million pounds (approximately R$2.5 billion). The project includes the replacement of electrical systems, plumbing and heating structures considered obsolete, as well as adaptations to preserve the building for decades to come.

PUBLIC ACCESS

Charles’ stay at Clarence House should also increase public access to Buckingham Palace. The Royal House expects to increase the number of guided tours and events open to the public. Around 700,000 people visit the site annually.

The announcement was accompanied by another measure considered unprecedented: Charles disclosed for the first time since assuming the throne, in 2022, the taxes paid to the British government.

According to data presented by the monarchy, the king paid £12.9 million in income and capital gains taxes in the 2024-2025 tax year, up from £11.7 million recorded in the previous period.

Although disclosure is not required by British law, members of the Royal Household stated that the measure is part of a strategy to increase transparency about the monarchy’s finances.