Published June 26th, 2026 - 12:49 GMT
ALBAWABA - King Charles will remain at Clarence House after Buckingham Palace renovation ends.King Charles will no longer live at Buckingham Palace when its 10-year makeover is completed next year, royal officials announced on Thursday, marking the end of nearly two centuries of the central London landmark serving as the British monarch's primary residence.Officials also revealed that the king paid £12.9 million ($17.04 million) in tax in 2024/25, the first time the sum has been made public, putting him among Britain's top 100 taxpayers.Members of the royal family have pledged greater financial transparency in response to mounting criticism following Queen Elizabeth's death in 2022.The palace still serves as the monarch's headquarters.Charles has decided to stay in Clarence House, his long-time London home, after the £369 million makeover of Buckingham Palace is completed next year. The project entails upgrading aged electrical wiring, plumbing, and heating.When work began in 2017, officials expected the palace to continue to serve as the monarch's primary London residence, as it did since Queen Victoria became sovereign in 1837.James Chalmers, the king's treasurer and privy purse keeper, stated that it will continue to be the prime location for ceremonial and official activities, including the reception of foreign guests."It is and will remain monarchy HQ, the crown jewel of our national buildings, with the sovereign's standard flying proudly from the roof whenever his majesty is in London," he said to reporters.Charles and the late Queen Elizabeth had not slept overnight in the castle since 2019. The king will maintain private chambers there for accommodation.Every year, approximately 700,000 people visit the building, and there will be increased public access, according to Chalmers, who could not provide further specifics.Charles reveals the tax bill.By law, the British king is not required to pay income, capital gains, or inheritance tax, but Charles, like his mother after 1993, has done so willingly and without divulging the sums.Charles, like every king since 1399, receives a private income from the huge Duchy of Lancaster estate (£25.2 million in 2025/26), as well as from his other properties and interests.Chalmers stated that the monarch paid £11.7 million in tax in 2023/24 and more than £30 million in taxes since he became king in 2022.He also receives government funding, known as the Sovereign Grant, to pay for personnel, royal palaces, and travel. That figure will be £137.9 million in 2026/27.However, Chalmers stated that it would be reduced for the first time in 2027/28 to £100 million "in accordance with His Majesty's clear wishes" and that it would remain at that level until 2031/32.That's about £60 million more than in 2016, when the funding mechanism was modified to pay for the Buckingham Palace refurbishment. "This is not a blank check," Chalmers explained, adding that safeguards were in place to ensure the amount was proportional.Prince William, the heir to the throne, paid £7.76 million in taxes in 2024/25 and directed that £1.5 million in rent from a closed prison be donated to the local community, according to his office. William and Charles have been accused of profiteering from rents charged to the army, health service, and schools.
