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For almost two centuries Buckingham Palace has been the beating heart of the British monarchy and the official residence of the sovereign. It has been the setting for balcony appearances at Trooping the Colour, glittering tiara moments and the ceremonial splendour that has shaped Britain’s global identity.
Now officials have finally confirmed what has been whispered ever since King Charles took the throne and chose to remain at Clarence House while the palace underwent its enormous refurbishment. The royals will likely never live in Buckingham Palace again as he and Queen Camilla confirm that will not be moving.
The news may surprise some especially given the palace’s taxpayer funded $700 million renovation which is due to finish in 2027. Crews have replaced one hundred and sixty one kilometres of electrical cabling and more than thirty kilometres of heating pipework, while lifts have been installed throughout the building to get it fit for purpose.
“It will be a buzzing hive of royal activity in every other way,” a spokesperson said on June 25. “His Majesty retains huge affection for Buckingham Palace and a deep respect for its role in royal and public life.”
Why it would be a good thing if the royal family no longer lived at Buckingham Palace
And here is why that is both a positive and practical move for the future.
“It will remain a working home but we are seeking to widen public access precisely to maximise the national benefit of a publicly-funded building,” an official confirmed.
If Buckingham Palace is no longer a private residence it can finally become what it has always seemed destined to be. A museum and somewhere that belongs to the public who have paid for its upkeep for generations.
Tourists already treat it as a must see destination with even a teenage Meghan Markle once posing outside for a picture with a friend.
But the real magic is inside and I say that as someone who has been lucky enough to experience it three times.
Inside Buckingham Palace
I was invited to attend the King’s Coronation Garden Party where the sheer scale of the façade felt almost theatrical. I marvelled at the art work and antiques as I toured the State Rooms nearly a decade ago when they opened briefly over Christmas.
And last year I walked through the East Wing and stood behind the glass doorways the royals use to step onto the balcony. The view down The Mall is much more obscured by the statue of Queen Victoria out the front then you’d think.
Those visits left me with a clear impression. Buckingham Palace is magnificent and a national treasure, but not a family home.
It is also not especially liveable. King Charles has long preferred Clarence House. That comes as no surprise as his parents did too and only moved into Buckingham Palace because Winston Churchill insisted the young Queen Elizabeth relocate after her accession.
Prince William has already made it clear that his long term home is at Forest Lodge in Windsor where he and Princess Catherine are raising their young family away from the intense pressure of London.
The palace has also been a maintenance challenge for decades. When author Peter James was granted rare access to write The Hawk is Dead, he found out that the floor in a corridor Elizabeth II walked in every day was so badly damaged he was shocked she hadn’t fallen through.
“To everyone’s horror, it was discovered that several of the floorboards had been used for sawing on and some had been sawn through,” he tells me.
What would Buckingham Palace be used for if it is no longer a residence?
Opening the palace fully to the public would be transformative. At the moment only a small portion is accessible for a few summer months and tickets sell out instantly.
Imagine if there was year round access. Buckingham Palace could become one of the world’s great museums and a living archive of British art and history.
It would also help the monarchy’s biggest challenge in 2026 which is perception. Younger generations are increasingly sceptical of inherited privilege and institutions that feel out of touch.
A palace that sits empty for most of the year while costing millions to maintain is difficult to justify.
Importantly, the best parts of Buckingham Palace will continue on. It will remain the monarch’s working headquarters in London. The Wales kids will still steal the show during balcony appearances and Garden Parties will still welcome thousands of guests each year.
Buckingham Palace has always been a symbol. But now it has the chance to become the people’s palace rather than just the King’s.
Read more expert opinion and analysis in WHO’s The Royal Verdict with Kylie Walters here.
