Inside the FIVE palaces King Charles can choose from to make his official residence… but could make one into an OFFICE
KING CHARLES has the choice of five palaces he could make into his official residence – and could even turn one into an office.
The new monarch was sworn in on Sunday after the death of his mother, Her Majesty the Queen.
King Charles will now assume official duties as the UK adjusts to having a new head of state for the first time in 70 years.
Among the many choices the new King will have to make is his place of residence.
His decision comes as:
- William & Harry could walk side by side behind the Queen’s coffin at her funeral
- Princess Anne curtsied to her beloved mum as Her Majesty’s coffin left Balmoral for the final time
- Thousands left flowers outside royal residences across the country
- King Charles III was proclaimed as King across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
- King Charles’ relentless schedule was revealed – where he always skips one meal a day
- Details of The Queen’s sombre final journey back to London emerged
- A new Bank Holiday to mark The Queen’s funeral on September 19 was established
There are five palace residences Charles could stay in, with tradition not binding him to a single place.
The Queen divided her time between Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, with Sandringham in Norfolk used as a holiday home.
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While Prince, King Charles’ official residence was Clarence House in Westminster while his country home was Highgrove House in Gloucestershire.
A source told the Times that the King will have to consider whether he used the properties in the same way as his late mother.
They said: “He is going to have to weigh up the cost against the importance of keeping these palaces and castles and residences truly royal by using them.”
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace is the traditional headquarters of the monarch and was first acquired by King Charles III as far back as 1761.
But the Times reports that the King “does not even like” Buckingham Palace – and may even turn it into an office.
The reports says: “His antipathy to the place is such that it has even inspired a number of reports over the years that he is considering just using it for official royal business, but not as a home.”
Referencing journalist Andrew Marr’s 2011 book The Diamond Queen, the report adds: ” One of the more dramatic ideas that has been discussed is for the royal family in his reign to leave Buckingham Palace entirely, leaving it as a kind of grand official government hotel and centre for events.”
Buckingham Palace is among the most famous landmarks in the UK with thousands of tourists estimated to visit every year.
Clarence House
The King is believed to be very keen on using Clarence House as his home. It has served as his official residence since 2003.
While he could use Buckingham Palace for work and “banquets, receptions and investitures”, Clarence House may still function as his London home.
But the future of the residence is far from certain now King Charles has ascended to the throne.
The Times reports: “There is [a] factor supporting the idea that the King will move out of Clarence House: according to the former courtier, it was once earmarked — but, crucially, this was never agreed — for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex [Harry and Meghan]“.
Sandringham
There is also the option that the King could use Sandringham regularly like his mother.
The Queen often spent time there over Christmas and used it as a winter holiday home.
Her Majesty last had an extended stay as recently as January this year. The Queen reportedly planned to privately remember the Duke of Edinburgh and her father on the 70th anniversary of his death during her visit earlier this year.
George VI died at the Norfolk Estate on February 6 1952.
There is speculation King Charles may not rely as heavily on the stunning mansion for getaways – due to his fondness for his own holiday home.
Highgrove House
Highgrove House has been the family residence of King Charles since 1980 when it was first purchased on his behalf by the Duchy of Cornwall.
He originally spent weekends at the Gloucestershire manor with Princess Diana and their sons, William and Harry.
The King “truly loves” Highgrove but since it is officially owned by the Duchy of Cornwall, it now immediately passes to Prince William, along with all the Duchy estates, according to the Times.
It means that Prince William is now effectively the King’s landlord.
The Times adds that Camilla, the Queen Consort, would be not be too upset if they lost Highgrove.
Royal biographer Penny Junor said: “She would not be sad to see Highgrove go.
“She has no great fondness for it at all. Of course she loves the garden and everything. But it is Diana’s house. It is not hers.”
Windsor Castle
Like Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle in Berkshire is another traditional seat for the British monarch.
The giant castle is another popular tourist attraction and was often used by the Queen for hosting state visits.
But the fortress is another location King Charles is reportedly not keen on.
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The Times says: “A former courtier said that the King did not like Windsor Castle and was planning to let Prince William live there.
“However, that will not happen for some time, as the Prince of Wales and his family have only just moved to their new home in Windsor, Adelaide Cottage.”
The castle survived a fire in 1992 and had to be restored as the Queen endured her “Annus Horribilis”.