Skip to main contentSkip to footer

King Charles III's Highgrove Estate is the ultimate retreat from royal duties - inside photos

The King is having a rare day off after a gruelling week

prince charles camilla house
Bridie Wilkins
Senior Health & Fitness Writer
Share this:

King Charles III and the Queen Consort are taking a day off public duties on Thursday following their gruelling week after Queen Elizabeth II’s death. 

MORE: The Queen Consort returns to her £850k home alone - inside photos

The royal couple left London via helicopter after their procession through the capital on Wednesday afternoon, and landed at Camilla’s private home, Ray Mill House in Wiltshire.

WATCH: Charles and Camilla's home Highgrove House

However, rather than stay together, Charles reportedly drove away to his own private country estate, Highgrove House, which he has owned since 1980.

MORE: King Charles and the Queen Consort to remain in home of almost 20 years - inside photos

The King first lived there with Princess Diana and his two sons Prince William and Prince Harry. The nine-bedroom, six-bathroom mansion is renowned for its beautiful décor and stunning gardens, take a tour...

In 1980, just before Charles moved into the property, a photo of one of the living rooms was released. It revealed a floral sofa with matching curtains, and several separate armchairs. There was also a wooden chest of drawers and coordinating side tables, as well as multiple floral desk lamps with white shades.

2 Highgrove living room

REVEALED: Why King Charles has returned to Highgrove

At the same time, a photo of the dining room revealed a large table with space for six guests, and more floral curtains. There were also two mounted candelabras and two framed photos on the walls.

SEE: Inside Princess Diana's private home in Kensington Palace

3 Highgrove dining room

Two years later in 1982 once Prince Charles had moved in, a coloured photo revealed more detail of one of the living rooms. Charles sat on a cream sofa with green and blue patterned cushions, and there was a dark chestnut wood side table with framed photos and ornaments on it. There was also a desk lamp with a white shade, and a house plant in a white pot. The room has cream walls and large sash windows.

4 Prince Charles highgrove

A series of family photos were released in 1986. This one showed Princess Diana playing with Harry and William in the garden on a children's climbing frame and slide.

5 Highgrove garden

Princess Diana and Harry were photographed in the gardens with a Shetland pony. The area was framed with wooden fencing.

SEE: 10 of the most picturesque royal gardens

6 Highgrove pony

The family also had their own swimming pool.

7 Highgrove garden

LOOK: Prince Charles' unexpected animal décor at London home revealed

In another area of the garden, there was a white wooden pagoda with a matching bench.

8 Prince Charles highgrove garden

The family posed in the wild flower meadow surrounding the house.

9 Highgrove driveway

An exterior shot of the property revealed that it was covered in climbing plants, while the front door was cream with a glass panel at the top.

10 Highgrove frontage

In 2005, Prince Charles and Camilla welcomed Ty Hafan Children's Hospice into their home. This photo was taken in the Orchard Room in Highgrove House, featuring red and cream patterned carpet, concrete walls and plinths, and an alcove-shaped ceiling. There was also a large chandelier hanging above the Christmas tree.

11 Highgrove hallway

The couple hosted another reception for children with life-limiting illnesses in 2007, and this photo revealed that the couple have framed photos of several royal residences on the walls.

12 Highgrove reception

The 18th century residence is surrounded by 900 acres of organic land, including a farm which Prince Charles installed when he first renovated the house.

Make sure you never miss a ROYAL story! Sign up to our newsletter to get all of our celebrity and royal news delivered directly to your inbox.

More Homes

See more