London, United Kingdom. King Charles will not live at Buckingham Palace after its 10-year refurbishment is completed next year, royal officials said on Thursday. The disclosure came as officials also said the king paid £12.9 million in tax in 2024/25, the first time the figure has been made public.
Buckingham Palace to remain ceremonial base
Charles will remain at Clarence House, his longstanding London home nearby, instead of making Buckingham Palace his primary residence after the refurbishment is finished. The £369 million project, which began in 2017, has involved replacing ageing electrical wiring, pipes and heating systems.
When work started, officials had expected Buckingham Palace to remain the monarch’s primary London residence, as it had been since Queen Victoria became sovereign in 1837.
Officials describe palace as “monarchy HQ”
James Chalmers, the king’s treasurer, known as the Keeper of the Privy Purse, said Buckingham Palace would continue to serve as the main venue for ceremonial and official functions, including hosting state visits.
“It is and will remain ‘monarchy HQ’, the crown jewel of our national buildings, with the sovereign’s standard flying proudly from the roof whenever His Majesty is in London,” Chalmers told reporters.
Neither Charles nor Queen Elizabeth had stayed overnight at the palace since 2019. The king will keep private rooms there that could be used as accommodation.
Tax figure disclosed amid transparency push
Officials said Charles paid £12.9 million ($17.0 million) in tax in 2024/25, placing him among Britain’s top 100 taxpayers. It is the first time the amount has been publicly disclosed.
Members of the royal family have pledged greater transparency about their finances amid increased scrutiny and criticism since the death of Queen Elizabeth in 2022.
By law, the British king is not required to pay income, capital gains or inheritance tax, but Charles has voluntarily done so without previously disclosing the amounts, as his mother did after 1993.
Public access expected to increase
Chalmers said public access to Buckingham Palace would be expanded. About 700,000 people visit the building each year, though he did not provide further details.
