Buckingham Palace is best known as the home of the British monarchy – and the late Queen Elizabeth II lived there for most of her life.
In recent years, the 775-room residence has undergone a dramatic £369 million makeover using taxpayer money, but its purpose seems to be changing.
The current King, Charles III, is using it as a "monarchy HQ", and, while Buckingham Palace remains his official residence, he has continued to stay at the nearby Clarence House with Queen Camilla.
And it appears that his son, Prince William, will follow his lead when he one day becomes King, choosing instead to remain at his "forever home", Forest Lodge in Windsor, with his wife, the Princess of Wales, and three children.
Why won't William and Kate move to Buckingham Palace?
Last October, William, Kate, Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince Louis, eight, left Adelaide Cottage for Forest Lodge. They previously relocated to Windsor from London in 2022 for a quieter life away from the city.
HELLO!'s Royal Editor, Emily Nash, says: "When they left London for Windsor, William and Kate made it clear that they were doing it so their children could have more green space and freedom. That won't change and they have since made it very clear that Forest Lodge will be their 'forever home'."
© Alamy Stock PhotoEmily explains that this likely won't change, even when they become King and Queen.
She adds: "So while Buckingham Palace will always remain Monarchy HQ, for now, they want to keep as much normality for their family and that means not living in a palace or a castle. It's hard to see that changing anytime soon."
A royal U-turn?
Recent reports have implied that King Charles and Queen Camilla may never reside full-time at Buckingham Palace.
© Getty Images for Buckingham PalaThe building has been undergoing extensive renovations, which commenced when Queen Elizabeth was still alive. It involves future-proofing the palace with new wiring throughout.
However, his old friend, interior designer Nicky Haslam, expressed concerns at the prospect of the relocation not going ahead. He said the alternative of it being an office HQ leaves it with "no magic".
"Turning Buckingham Palace into an office is wrong. Period," he told the Daily Mail. "William won’t use it either. It stops Buckingham Palace being the jewel in the crown."
