Buckingham Palace is one of the most famous buildings in the world, well-known for housing British monarchs for centuries. In the centre of London, the Palace is crowded with tourists outside the gates daily, come rain or shine.
While many monarchs have called the Palace home, whether out of choice or duty, this is set to soon change. While the late Queen did live at Buckingham Palace for the majority of the time during her long reign after being advised to by the late Winston Churchill, King Charles is yet to do this.
Although the reason for this is believed to be the ongoing renovation work, many wonder whether the King, who took to the throne in 2022, will ever move from his nearby Clarence House home.
It has also started to become clear that after Charles’s reign, Prince William, 43, will not move into Buckingham Palace when he is King.
Instead, it is believed he will call Forest Lodge in Windsor his “forever home”, with the prince and his family set to move there before the end of the year.
This has left many questioning why Buckingham Palace does not seem to have won the hearts and affections of recent senior royals, with historian and royal biographer Robert Lacey explaining the real reason for this.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Lacey said the Palace has always been “seen as an office” by royals, with aspects of it also making it feel like one too, especially with how cold it can reportedly get.
He said: “I don’t think it was ever loved. If you read what kings have said in their diaries, it was always seen as an office. I think, actually, as an office it has been very successful. As a ceremonial figurehead for the Royal family, as the place that visitors identify with, it’s been a great success.
He also said the Palace is “like living in an Edwardian hotel in Brighton”, describing it as “bleak”.
He said: “There are these long corridors. And it’s very bleak in so many ways.”
While some royals may not love it enough to call it home, it is believed Buckingham Palace will remain the key office for the monarchy.
