King Charles facing tough choice: Which of his four Royal residences will he live in?

Buckingham Palace has typically been the official residence of the reigning monarch. When Elizabeth II became Queen, she originally wanted to stay at Clarence House (Charles and Camilla’s residence now) but was convinced to move to Buckingham Palace.

King Charles seems to have the same idea and would rather not move into Buckingham Palace. If Charles chooses not to live at Buckingham Palace, he isn’t short of places to stay.

He could very well choose to stay at Clarence House like his mother originally planned, or he could also choose Windsor Castle as his official residence, which the Queen did towards the end of her reign.

King Charles doesn’t want to live at Buckingham Palace

According to reports, King Charles doesn’t want to live at Buckingham Palace and would much rather stay at Clarence House. The King is quite ‘frugal’ and doesn’t want an ‘interior designer in to redo Buckingham Palace for him’ according to a source close to Charles.

Since King Charles isn’t showing any signs of moving into the London Palace, there are rumours that he will open it up to the public on a more regular basis. As of now, Buckingham Palace is open to the public for 10 weeks a year, from July to October. This is when the late Queen Elizabeth used to spend time at Balmoral in Scotland.

According to The Times, a source says that King Charles wants to turn Buckingham Palace into an art gallery:

People who come to Britain on state visits expect to stay at Buckingham Palace, so it could become a gallery and presidents’ guesthouse.

Read more ⋙ Prince Andrew allegedly forced to move out by King Charles, 'Buckingham Palace is no place' for him

Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine and the author of multiple Royal biographies, told The Times:

Maybe in the end he will have to move into Buckingham Palace, but I don’t think he wants to.

Buckingham Palace is so huge and impersonal and red, with red carpets and curtains. It’s not his style.

According to The Times, both King Charles and Prince William find that Buckingham Palace isn't suitable for a modern family.

⋙ Prince William and Kate's previous home was once described as a 'prison' for children

⋙ Prince Andrew and ex-wife Sarah Ferguson can't do as they please in £30m home: Here's why

Where would King Charles live?

If King Charles does in fact choose not to live at Buckingham Palace, he still has a lot of residences to choose from. The most obvious place for Charles to live would be Clarence House, as that is where he currently lives. Hugo Vickers, a Royal historian and author said:

I think you’ll find that he’ll stay at Clarence House, which even (Queen Elizabeth) wanted to do, but Winston Churchill made her go to Buckingham Palace.

However, reports suggest the King may live at Balmoral in Scotland. The King wouldn’t live in the Castle itself but in Birkhall, which is on the Balmoral Estate.

A source told The Times:

He absolutely loves Birkhall. I would be amazed if he abandoned that. I think it’s far more likely that he will stay at Balmoral when there are prime ministerial visits but treat it like an office.

Sources used:

The Times: ‘King Charles weighs up options for his royal residence’

The Times: ‘King Charles won’t live in Buckingham Palace. So what next?’

Daily Mail: ‘Experts say King Charles is likely to use Buckingham Palace renovations as 'excuse not to move in' and instead 'open it up to public all year round' with sources suggesting new monarch has eyes on smaller residences like Balmoral Castle as permanent home’

Yahoo News: ‘King Charles ‘doesn’t want to live at Buckingham Palace’: ‘It’s not his style!’