The decision comes as the £369 million ($487 million) restoration of Buckingham Palace nears completion next year. Officials said the palace will continue to host state occasions, official engagements and royal administrative functions, but Charles and Queen Camilla will maintain their residence at nearby Clarence House for the remainder of the King’s reign.

“It is and will remain Monarchy HQ, the crown jewel of our national buildings,” James Chalmers, the senior royal official responsible for managing the King’s financial affairs, said during a briefing on the royal finances.

The move is expected to allow greater public access to Buckingham Palace, with plans to expand visitor numbers, tours and public events. The palace, originally built in the 1820s and home to every British monarch since Queen Victoria, currently receives around 700,000 visitors annually.

The refurbishment project, launched in 2017, was undertaken to replace aging plumbing, electrical wiring and heating systems while preserving the historic structure for future generations.

The announcement coincided with an unprecedented disclosure of the King’s personal tax payments. Charles became the first reigning British monarch to publicly reveal his tax contributions, paying £12.9 million ($16.1 million) in income and capital gains taxes during the 2024-25 financial year, compared with £11.7 million a year earlier.

Prince William, the Prince of Wales, also released his tax details, showing payments of £7.76 million in income and capital gains taxes for the same period, down from £8.34 million the previous year.

Royal officials said the disclosures reflect the monarchy’s commitment to greater transparency. Under Britain’s constitutional arrangements, the monarch is not legally required to publish personal tax information, although Charles had voluntarily released such details while serving as Prince of Wales.

The announcements come as the royal household seeks to reinforce public confidence following renewed scrutiny surrounding Prince Andrew’s association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Officials did not directly link the financial disclosures to those events but emphasized the monarchy’s commitment to openness.

Buckingham Palace will continue to function as the focal point for state ceremonies, diplomatic receptions and major national events while expanding its role as a public heritage attraction.

Speaking to Heart Radio’s breakfast program, William said Catherine, widely known as Kate, was “edging herself back into doing more” international visits and had been energized by a trip to Italy earlier this month, her first official foreign visit since her diagnosis.

“She’s been through so much in the last couple of years,” William said, adding that the visit had been an important milestone in her recovery and public return.
Catherine, 44, announced in January 2025 that she was in remission from cancer and has since been gradually increasing her public appearances and royal duties.

William praised his wife’s role within the family, describing her as an “amazing mum” and “amazing wife,” while highlighting the support she provides to their household as she continues her recovery.

The prince also offered a glimpse into family life, discussing the challenges of managing school routines for the couple’s three children. He joked about morning chaos involving their younger children, Charlotte and Louis, and said his eldest son, George, had been away boarding on Thursday night.

William revealed that jam sandwiches kept in the family car for eight-year-old Louis often leave sticky reminders behind, adding a lighthearted note to the interview.

The comments are part of a series of increasingly personal appearances by the heir to the British throne. In recent years, William and Catherine have occasionally shared details about family life, including measures such as restricting mobile phone use to help protect their children’s privacy.

The prince also spoke about personal interests, saying he enjoys dance music, prefers eggs on sourdough for breakfast and remains a devoted supporter of Aston Villa.

William celebrated Aston Villa’s UEFA Europa League triumph this week in Istanbul, describing the victory as a significant moment for supporters of the club he has followed for most of his life.