King Charles III Will Not Move Into Buckingham Palace

King Charles III will not move into Buckingham Palace after its 10-year refurbishment program concludes next year, royal officials announced on Thursday. The king and Queen Camilla will instead continue to reside at Clarence House, his longtime London home nearby. James Chalmers, the king's treasurer and keeper of the privy purse, stated that Buckingham Palace will remain the primary venue for ceremonial and official functions, including hosting foreign dignitaries. "It is and will remain monarchy HQ, the crown jewel of our national buildings," Chalmers told reporters. Buckingham Palace has served as the British monarch's primary London residence for nearly two centuries, since Queen Victoria ascended the throne in 1837. The 775-room building has housed the royal offices, hosted lavish state banquets, and served as the official residence. The palace is currently undergoing a major renovation that began in 2017 and is expected to finish next year, with total costs projected at £369 million (€428.2 million, $486.7 million). The project includes replacing aging electrical wiring, pipes, and heating. Officials said there will be greater public access following the renovation but provided no details. On Thursday, Charles also released details of his personal taxes for the first time since becoming monarch in 2022. Officials disclosed that the king paid £12.9 million in tax for the 2024/25 fiscal year, placing him among the UK's top 100 taxpayers. By law, the British monarch is not required to pay income, capital gains, or inheritance tax, but Charles, like his mother Queen Elizabeth II after 1993, has voluntarily done so. The king receives government funds through the Sovereign Grant to cover staff, palaces, and travel, but also receives private income from the Duchy of Lancaster estate, as has been the case since 1399. Meanwhile, Prince William, the heir to the throne, paid £7.76 million in tax for 2024/25. These announcements come amid a period of reputational challenges for the royal family following embarrassing headlines about Prince Andrew's links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.