King Charles to Forgo Buckingham Palace as Primary Residence Post-Refurbishment

King Charles will not live at Buckingham ⁠Palace after its 10-year refurbishment finishes next year, royal officials said on Thursday, ending nearly two centuries of the central London landmark serving as the British monarch’s primary residence.

Officials at the same time disclosed the king paid £12.9 million (US$17.04 million) in tax in 2024/25 – the first time the figure has been made public – placing him among Britain’s ‌top 100 taxpayers.

Members of the royal family have promised greater transparency about their finances amid growing criticism following the death of Queen Elizabeth in 2022.

Charles decided to continue living at Clarence House, his long-standing London home nearby, when the £369 million refurbishment of Buckingham Palace concludes next year. The project includes replacing ageing electrical wiring, pipes and heating.

When work started in 2017, officials had expected the palace to remain the monarch’s primary London residence as it had been since Queen Victoria became sovereign in 1837.

James ⁠Chalmers, the king’s treasurer and keeper of the privy purse, said it would remain the primary venue for ceremonial and official functions including ‌receiving foreign dignitaries.