Royal Family Will No Longer Live at Buckingham Palace But It ‘Will Remain Monarchy HQ’

King Charles III and Queen Camilla will not return to living at Buckingham Palace once its 10-year renovation is complete.

It was revealed on Thursday, June 25, that the royal family has no plans to reside in the cultural landmark in London after its £369 million ($487 million) refurbishment is set to be completed next year, the Associated Press reported.

“It is and will remain Monarchy HQ, the crown jewel of our national buildings,” James Chalmers, treasurer to the 77-year-old king, said during a briefing on royal finances.

Charles and Camilla, 78, will continue to live at the nearby Clarence House on The Mall in central London.

Located in the city of Westminster, Buckingham Palace has served as the official London residence of the United Kingdom’s sovereigns since 1837, according to the Royal Family’s website.

The building has a total of 775 rooms, including 19 State rooms, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms.

Buckingham Palace receives about 700,000 visitors a year, per the AP. The decision for the royal family to live elsewhere will allow greater public access and the ability to host more tours, Chalmers told reporters.

After Elizabeth: Can the Monarchy Save Itself author Ed Owens told the AP he hopes that Buckingham Palace doesn’t become vacant, adding: “I’m hoping for a second act in terms of this decision. I’m waiting to see whether there will be a sort of a more radical proposal for what Buckingham Palace might be in the future.”

According to CNN, refurbishments to Buckingham Palace began in 2017, and at the time, it was expected that the building would remain the king and queen’s primary residence.

The massive overhaul reportedly included replacing electrical wiring, pipes and heating, among other renovations.

Neither His Majesty nor the late Queen Elizabeth III had stayed overnight at the palace since 2019, CNN reported.