King Charles has no plans to move into Buckingham Palace, source says
King Charles III is said not to be planning on making an official move to live in Buckingham Palace.
The 73 year old King is reportedly expected to continue living in his residence of Clarence House, where he resides with his wife, Camilla, Queen Consort, 75.
Buckingham Palace, which has long been the official residence of the Queen or King of England, is currently undergoing a huge restoration and repair job, said to be at a cost of £369 million, and works are not expected to be complete until 2027.
The palace boasts 775 rooms, including 19 staterooms, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms.
A source told The Sunday Times: “I know he is no fan of ‘the big house’, as he calls the palace. He doesn’t see it as a viable future home or a house that’s fit for purpose in the modern world. He feels that its upkeep, both from a cost and environmental perspective, is not sustainable.”
Another royal source said that it is also down to Camilla who's not keen on a move to the palace, as they said: “It is certainly true that Camilla doesn’t want to live at Buckingham Palace.”
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “It is expected that the necessary works will be completed for Their Majesties to take up residence in 2027. In the interim period, the Palace will be fully utilized for official business wherever practicable.”
Whilst renovations are going on at the palace, it will still be used as a place for King Charles to undertake official duties.
This week, King Charles welcomed Prime Minister Liz Truss to the palace, for their first weekly meeting to discuss government matters and any pressing news the King might need to know.
King Charles was heard uttering "dear oh dear" as he greeted the Prime Minister.
Footage of the Buckingham Palace meeting saw Ms Truss being led through a pair of double doors by palace staff, who announced her arrival, before curtseying as she said: "Your Majesty.”
Charles, smiling, replied: “Back again? Dear oh dear.”
Ms Truss was heard to say: “It’s a great pleasure.”
This week’s encounter was filmed and shared online by ITV News royal editor Chris Ship who wrote: "Not much to talk about between the King and his Prime Minister? #economy #bonds #minibudget #interestrates #mortgages #uturn."
The King made a statement as, in the video, a picture of his son Prince Harry and his wife Meghan with the royal family on their wedding day could be seen in pride of place in the background.
The King is said to be "absolutely devastated" over the Prince Harry fallout but according to a royal expert he remains "hopeful" for a reconciliation.
Vanity Fair's royal editor Miss Nicholl said: "He is hopeful that there will be a reconciliation. I think we saw that in the very public olive branches that were extended to Harry and Meghan [Markle]."
The royal expert continued: "Charles absolutely has been devastated by what has happened. If you think back just a couple of years around the time of the wedding, the relationship between Harry and his father was, I think, probably better than it ever had been."
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