NEED TO KNOW

  • The royal family is seemingly making Windsor their new headquarters rather than London
  • The Royal Mews — which oversees the transportation of the royal family, from its fleet of cars to its stables of horses and historic carriages — is set to relocate from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle in the new year
  • It’s a practical change for both King Charles and his heir, Prince William, both of whom have taken to primarily life at their respective country homes

The royal family is preparing to make another major change.

According to the Sunday Times, the Royal Mews will be relocating from Buckingham Palace to Windsor in the new year. The Mews is responsible for the royals’ transportation, most notably the horses, stables and historic collection of royal carriages.

It has been headquartered at Buckingham Palace since the late 1700s; however, a move out of central London into the Windsor countryside makes sense for a few notable reasons.

For one, Buckingham Palace has not been the primary royal residence since the late Queen Elizabeth moved to Windsor during the COVID pandemic in 2020. The historic building is currently undergoing a six-figure renovation, and King Charles and Queen Camilla have been living at Clarence House when in London, where they reportedly intend to remain even after the work is complete.

Likewise, Kate Middleton and Prince William officially moved into their “forever home,” Forest Lodge in Windsor, just a few weeks ago. They also plan to keep the country home as their primary residence, even when William eventually becomes king.

Kate Middleton and Prince William wave to onlookers from a carriage on their wedding day, April 29, 2011.

Indigo/Getty

So, it makes sense for the Royal Mews to relocate its historic stables and current fleet of around 30 horses, state coaches, as well as the state motor cars. Coachmen, grooms, chauffeurs and other staff also live on site, in apartments near the carriage houses and stables.

The Mews is a major part of royal ceremony, with the family traveling by carriage for events like royal weddings, Trooping the Colour, the Royal Ascot, state visits and more. After a few years of running main operations through Windsor instead of Buckingham Palace, it seems the family is ready to make the change permanent.

The Gold State Coach at King Charles’ coronation on May 2023.
Adrian Dennis – WPA Pool/Getty Images

In addition to Prince William and Princess Kate’s permanent move to Windsor and the Royal Mews move, Windsor Castle has also been the site of some major royal events in recent months.

As Buckingham Palace continues to undergo a $463 million renovation, Windsor Castle has hosted recent royal events such as state visits, banquets and receptions.

Even after renovations on the London royal residence are complete, King Charles and Queen Camilla likely won’t live there. According to The Times, sources who know Charles and Camilla said they are both “very comfortable” at Clarence House, which is a short walk from Buckingham Palace. “I know he is no fan of ‘the big house,’ as he calls the palace,” a source told the outlet. “He doesn’t see it as a viable future home or a house that’s fit for purpose in the modern world.”

Another source added, “It is certainly true that Camilla doesn’t want to live at Buckingham Palace,” and The Times reported that Prince William “agrees that the palace is not suitable for modern family life.”

King Charles speaks with Col. Erica Bridge at Villa Wolkonsky in Rome on April 8, 2025.

Arthur Edwards-Pool/Getty

The move for the Royal Mews also coincides with another major transition. Earlier this month, King Charles made history by appointing Col. Erica Bridge to be the royal family’s first-ever female crown equerry. Col. Bridge, 52, is no stranger to historic posts — in 2007, she became the first female commanding officer of the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery.

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A 30-year Army veteran and mother of three, the new crown equerry will be responsible not only for the royal family’s travel and stable of horses, but also for organizing and coordinating the carriage processions at state occasions and parades.

She will succeed Col. Toby Browne in the spring, as he steps down after 15 years of service.