{"id":1179739,"date":"2026-08-31T23:12:43","date_gmt":"2026-08-31T23:12:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1179739\/"},"modified":"2026-08-31T23:12:43","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T23:12:43","slug":"where-does-the-british-royal-family-live-a-guide-to-17-royal-residences","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1179739\/","title":{"rendered":"Where Does the British Royal Family Live? A Guide to 17 Royal Residences"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img src=\"https:\/\/www.elledecor.com\/_assets\/design-tokens\/fre\/static\/icons\/clock-regular.4ddebeb.svg\" alt=\"Estimated read time\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>13 min read<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"0\" class=\"body-dropcap css-1nm56vn emevuu60\"><strong data-node-id=\"0.0\">K<\/strong>eeping up with the royals is far more of a wild goose chase than keeping up with the Kardashians\u2014especially when it comes to who\u2019s living where. Residences can serve very different purposes: Some are official settings for state occasions and public engagements, while others are private family homes or countryside escapes.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"1\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\">The royal property portfolio has evolved considerably since <a href=\"https:\/\/www.elledecor.com\/celebrity-style\/a41094629\/queen-elizabeth-funeral-flowers\/\" target=\"_self\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.elledecor.com\/celebrity-style\/a41094629\/queen-elizabeth-funeral-flowers\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Queen Elizabeth II\u2019s death \" data-node-id=\"1.1\" class=\"body-link css-1d9rwk5 emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Queen Elizabeth II\u2019s death <\/a>in 2022 and King Charles III\u2019s coronation the following year, ushering in a new chapter for the monarchy and the homes associated with it. Take the Prince and Princess of Wales, who moved from Adelaide Cottage to the larger <a href=\"https:\/\/www.elledecor.com\/life-culture\/a65808019\/prince-william-kate-middleton-new-home\/\" target=\"_self\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.elledecor.com\/life-culture\/a65808019\/prince-william-kate-middleton-new-home\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Forest Lodge\" data-node-id=\"1.3\" class=\"body-link css-1d9rwk5 emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Forest Lodge<\/a>, or the King\u2019s decision to strip his brother of his titles and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.elledecor.com\/celebrity-style\/a69166041\/prince-andrew-frogmore-cottage-homes\/\" target=\"_self\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.elledecor.com\/celebrity-style\/a69166041\/prince-andrew-frogmore-cottage-homes\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Royal Lodge tenancy. \" data-node-id=\"1.5\" class=\"body-link css-1d9rwk5 emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Royal Lodge tenancy. <\/a>There is also fresh attention to how these vast historic properties are used, maintained, and opened to the public. Some remain central to the monarchy\u2019s public-facing work, hosting state visits, formal receptions, and annual traditions, while others offer the family a more private base for weekends, holidays, and time away from London.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"2\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\">Below are the less-than-humble abodes that the royal family has called home\u2014along with insight into the histories, architecture, and functions of each grand space.<\/p>\n<p>Forest Lodge<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"5\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\"><strong data-node-id=\"5.0.0\">Berkshire, England<\/strong><br data-node-id=\"5.1\"\/><strong data-node-id=\"5.2\">Who\u2019s There Now: <\/strong>Prince William and Princess Kate<\/p>\n<p><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"Forest Lodge\" title=\"Forest Lodge\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"7215\" height=\"4680\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/7f37d746-ba3f-4a59-bc34-9efbc871ba3d.jpeg\" class=\"css-0 e1ddfba50\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Heritage Images\/\/Getty Images<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"7\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\">Forest Lodge, located in Windsor Great Park, is the new official residence of the Wales family. It is a Grade II-listed Georgian mansion built in the 1770s and originally known as Holly Grove. The eight-bedroom, 328-year-old property is valued at approximately $16 million and features a chandelier-lit ballroom, tennis court, extensive grounds, and multiple cottages for security and staff.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"8\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\">Forest Lodge has a rich royal history, becoming part of the Crown Estate in 1829 when George IV purchased it. The property previously served as the residence of the Deputy Ranger of Windsor Great Park until 1937, and more recently housed high-profile tenants including Alex Fitzgibbons, who planned wedding receptions for both William and Kate and Harry and Meghan. In 2001, the property underwent a $2 million restoration to preserve its period features.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"9\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\">William and Kate completed their move into Forest Lodge in November 2025, with the family\u2014including George, Charlotte, and Louis\u2014settling in ahead of the winter holidays. The couple reportedly signed a 20-year lease and have described Forest Lodge as their long-term family home, with plans to remain there even after William becomes king.<\/p>\n<p>Windsor Castle<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"12\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\"><strong data-node-id=\"12.0.0\">Berkshire, England<\/strong><br data-node-id=\"12.1\"\/><strong data-node-id=\"12.2\">Who\u2019s There Now: <\/strong>King Charles III owns it, but nobody lives there now<\/p>\n<p><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"windsor castle is pictured from the long\" title=\"Windsor Castle is pictured from the Long\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"4200\" height=\"2472\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/windsor-castle-is-pictured-from-the-long-mile-in-windsor-news-photo-1663301297.jpg\" class=\"css-0 e1ddfba50\"\/><\/p>\n<p>BEN STANSALL\/\/Getty Images<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"14\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\">Windsor Castle, often referred to as \u201cthe Big House,\u201d is the oldest inhabited castle in the world, having been part of Britain\u2019s royal heritage for nearly a thousand years. The castle was commissioned by William the Conqueror around 1070 and took 16 years to complete. The Queen spent many of her private weekends at Windsor Castle throughout her reign, as well as a week each June for Royal Ascot and the service of the Order of the Garter.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"15\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\">Windsor Castle remains a working palace where King Charles III conducts official audiences and ceremonial functions. The King and Queen Camilla now split time between Windsor and their London base, Clarence House. In June 2026, royal officials confirmed that Charles and Camilla will not move into <a href=\"https:\/\/www.elledecor.com\/life-culture\/a71897515\/buckingham-palace-picture-gallery-rehang\/\" target=\"_self\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.elledecor.com\/life-culture\/a71897515\/buckingham-palace-picture-gallery-rehang\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Buckingham Palace\" data-node-id=\"15.1\" class=\"body-link css-1d9rwk5 emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Buckingham Palace<\/a> once its decade-long, roughly \u00a3369 million refurbishment concludes in 2027, meaning Windsor Castle and Clarence House will remain the couple\u2019s primary residences going forward.<\/p>\n<p>Bagshot Park<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"17\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\"><strong data-node-id=\"17.0.0\">Bagshot, England<\/strong><br data-node-id=\"17.1\"\/><strong data-node-id=\"17.2\">Who\u2019s There Now: <\/strong>Duchess Sophie and Prince Edward<\/p>\n<p><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"bagshot park, surrey, home of the duke of connaught, c1880\" title=\"Bagshot Park, Surrey, home of the Duke of Connaught, c1880.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"722\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/bagshot-park-surrey-home-of-the-duke-of-connaught-c1880-news-photo-1717611746.jpg\" class=\"css-0 e1ddfba50\"\/>Print Collector\/\/Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Bagshot Park, Surrey, home of the Duke of Connaught, circa 1880.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"19\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\">Bagshot Park is a redbrick and stone mansion built on the site of an earlier mansion in 1879 in Bagshot, a village 11 miles south of Windsor. It was the principal residence of Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn, a son of Queen Victoria. The Tudor Gothic\u2013style house was the result of the Duke of Connaught\u2019s Indian tour, when the Duke met John Lockwood Kipling and asked him to design and oversee the installation of a billiard room in an interpretation of Indian style. The project took two years and was a wedding gift from Indian princes to the Duke and Duchess of Connaught, designed and executed by Bhai Ram Singh. Upon the duke\u2019s death, Bagshot Park was requisitioned by the army for the Auxiliary Territorial Service to use as their Staff College. This closed at the end of the war and passed through several hands before it was leased by the Crown Estate to Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh. Today, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Lady Louise Windsor, and James, Earl of Wessex, live at the 120-room estate. The Grade II\u2013listed building is estimated to be worth around $38 million, should it be listed on the open market.<\/p>\n<p>Fort Belvedere<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"21\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\"><strong data-node-id=\"21.0.0\">Berkshire, England<\/strong><br data-node-id=\"21.1\"\/><strong data-node-id=\"21.2\">Who\u2019s There Now: <\/strong>The Weston family<\/p>\n<p><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"aerial view of the duke of windsor's fort belvedere, berkshire\" title=\"Aerial view of the Duke of Windsor's Fort Belvedere, Berkshire\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/aerial-view-of-the-duke-of-windsors-grade-ii-listed-fort-news-photo-1717619569.jpg\" class=\"css-0 e1ddfba50\"\/>David Goddard\/\/Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Aerial view of the Duke of Windsor\u2019s Fort Belvedere, Berkshire.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"23\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\">Fort Belvedere is part of the Windsor Estate. It\u2019s a Gothic Revival\u2013style manor house built by English architect Jeffry Wyatville in the 1820s. The historic building served as the royal residence for Edward VIII, the Duke of Windsor, between 1929 and 1936. Under his stewardship, many of the manor\u2019s rooms were renovated and updated, including the addition of horse stables, a swimming pool, and tennis courts. It was at Fort Belvedere that Edward signed his written abdication notice, which stripped him of his royal title and his home. The home was later inhabited by Gerald Lascelles, a grandson of King George V, and more recently, Galen and Hilary Weston, a family that has long had a close relationship with the British royal family. The couple constructed a polo stud and doubled the size of the lake on the grounds. Galen Weston died in 2021, and while rumors started that the forgotten castle may have become the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge\u2019s official new home, the happy family chose Adelaide Cottage instead (also near Windsor), and Hilary and the Weston family continue to occupy the fort today. The Crown Estate retains ownership of the property, which is still part of the Great Park.<\/p>\n<p>Sandringham House<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"25\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\"><strong data-node-id=\"25.0.0\">Norfolk, England<\/strong><br data-node-id=\"25.1\"\/><strong data-node-id=\"25.2\">Who\u2019s There Now: <\/strong>King Charles III <strong data-node-id=\"25.4\">(and soon Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"general view of sandringham house\" title=\"General View of Sandringham House\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"4758\" height=\"2901\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/general-view-of-sandringham-house-queen-elizabeth-iis-news-photo-1663301822.jpg\" class=\"css-0 e1ddfba50\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Max Mumby\/Indigo\/\/Getty Images<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"27\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\">Sandringham House, a Georgian mansion, was constructed in 1771 by the then-owners, the Hoste Henleys. The Grade II mansion was passed down through several generations of owners before King Edward VII <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Sandringham_House\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Sandringham_House\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"bought it\" data-node-id=\"27.1\" class=\"body-link css-1d9rwk5 emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">bought it<\/a> for his future wife, Princess Alexandra of Denmark, and built what is now the Sandringham House in a style described by <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Pevsner_Architectural_Guides\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Pevsner_Architectural_Guides\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Pevsner\" data-node-id=\"27.3\" class=\"body-link css-1d9rwk5 emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Pevsner<\/a> as \u201cfrenetic Jacobean.\u201d Following King Edward VII\u2019s death, the estate passed to his son, George V, who broadcast the first royal Christmas message, a holiday staple in Britain, from the house. He eventually died at the house in 1936, passing it on to Edward VIII, who also died there in 1952. Queen Elizabeth II then owned the estate, where it became best known as a setting for the royal family\u2019s annual Christmas celebration. In 2017, King Charles III took over management of the estate. The late Prince Philip also chose to spend the majority of his time at Wood Farm on the estate following his retirement in 2017, while Prince William and Princess Kate also have a home, Anmer Hall, on the estate.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"28\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\">Following his October 2025 loss of titles, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor relocated to the Sandringham estate, first staying temporarily at Wood Farm beginning in February 2026 before moving into the newly renovated Marsh Farm\u2014a five-bedroom former farmhouse about 1.5 miles from Sandringham House\u2014in April 2026. The renovation, funded by King Charles, included a new security perimeter, CCTV, and an airspace restriction zone. Andrew was arrested at Wood Farm in February 2026 on suspicion of misconduct in public office, an investigation that remains ongoing.<\/p>\n<p>Anmer Hall<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"30\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\"><strong data-node-id=\"30.0.0\">Norfolk, England<\/strong><br data-node-id=\"30.1\"\/><strong data-node-id=\"30.2\">Who\u2019s There Now:<\/strong> Prince William and Princess Kate<\/p>\n<p><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"general views of anmer hall\" title=\"General Views Of Anmer Hall\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"594\" height=\"361\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/general-view-of-the-front-of-anmer-hall-on-the-sandringham-news-photo-1710794947.jpg\" class=\"css-0 e1ddfba50\"\/>Max Mumby\/Indigo\/\/Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Anmer Hall on the Sandringham Estate in King\u2019s Lynn, England.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"32\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.elledecor.com\/celebrity-style\/celebrity-homes\/a60179498\/anmer-hall-kate-middleton-prince-william\/\" target=\"_self\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.elledecor.com\/celebrity-style\/celebrity-homes\/a60179498\/anmer-hall-kate-middleton-prince-william\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Anmer Hall\" data-node-id=\"32.0\" class=\"body-link css-1d9rwk5 emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Anmer Hall<\/a> is a 10-bedroom Georgian house that was built in 1802 as part of the Sandringham Estate, just a five-minute drive from Sandringham House. The historic structure has been William and Kate\u2019s Norfolk home for over a decade, since they moved in in 2015 when Kate was expecting their second child, Princess Charlotte. They made it their own with a $2 million renovation, updating the roof, planting more trees for privacy, and overhauling the kitchen\u2014which, in addition to adding a second kitchen at Kensington Palace, gave her the nickname \u201cThree Kitchens Kate.\u201d The property also boasts a pool, a tennis court, and a fully functioning honeybee colony.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"33\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\">In 2017, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Harry and Meghan, stayed with William and Kate, \u201cbecause the sovereign still won\u2019t permit unwed couples to sleep together under her roof Sandringham,\u201d according to the book Notorious Royal Marriages by Leslie Carroll. Today, the Prince and Princess of Wales use Anmer as a country escape when they aren\u2019t inhabiting their two primary royal residences\u2014Kensington Palace and Adelaide Cottage. More recently, the family is said to have spent half of February 2024 at Anmer Hall as Kate recovered from her abdominal surgery that January, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thetimes.co.uk\/article\/prince-william-dilemma-royal-duty-or-family-first-txsrscx6j\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.thetimes.co.uk\/article\/prince-william-dilemma-royal-duty-or-family-first-txsrscx6j\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"The Sunday Times\u2019s\" data-node-id=\"33.1\" class=\"body-link css-1d9rwk5 emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">The Sunday Times\u2019s<\/a> Roya Nikkhah.<\/p>\n<p>Buckingham Palace<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"35\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\"><strong data-node-id=\"35.0.0\">London<\/strong><br data-node-id=\"35.1\"\/><strong data-node-id=\"35.2\">Who\u2019s There Now: <\/strong>Nobody<\/p>\n<p><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"queen elizabeth and prince philip's main residence\" title=\"Buckingham Palace\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2121\" height=\"1414\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/where-do-royals-live-buckingham-palace-1527084347.jpg\" class=\"css-0 e1ddfba50\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Getty Images<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"37\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\">Located in the heart of the capital,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.elledecor.com\/celebrity-style\/a71615469\/inside-buckingham-palace-east-wing\/\" target=\"_self\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.elledecor.com\/celebrity-style\/a71615469\/inside-buckingham-palace-east-wing\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\" Buckingham Palace\" data-node-id=\"37.1\" class=\"body-link css-1d9rwk5 emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"> Buckingham Palace<\/a> is the crown jewel of the royal properties\u2014and the most visited. Hundreds of visitors flock daily to be in the same vicinity where royalty resides. The palace\u2019s private quarters had been Queen Elizabeth II\u2019s formal residence since 1936 when her father took the throne. When the Queen was still alive, she had initiated a mammoth project to refurbish the property, which was predicted to take 10 years to complete. The neoclassical-style structure has been known as the official London residence of the United Kingdom\u2019s monarchs since 1837, with Queen Victoria as the first monarch to settle in.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"38\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\">A roughly \u00a3369 million, decade-long \u201creservicing\u201d project to replace the palace&#8217;s aging wiring, pipes, and heating systems is on track to finish in spring 2027. In June 2026, royal officials confirmed that King Charles III and Queen Camilla will not move into Buckingham Palace even once renovations are complete\u2014they will remain at Clarence House, while Buckingham Palace continues on as the ceremonial and administrative center of royal life, with expanded public access.<\/p>\n<p>Balmoral Castle<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"41\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\"><strong data-node-id=\"41.0.0\">Aberdeenshire, Scotland<\/strong><br data-node-id=\"41.1\"\/><strong data-node-id=\"41.2\">Who\u2019s There Now: <\/strong>King Charles III<\/p>\n<p><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"balmoral castle\" title=\"Balmoral Castle\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2768\" height=\"1880\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/balmoral-castle-the-royals-scottish-home-news-photo-1663265621.jpg\" class=\"css-0 e1ddfba50\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Tim Graham\/\/Getty Images<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"43\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\">Almost a second home to Queen Elizabeth II, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.elledecor.com\/celebrity-style\/celebrity-homes\/a40969807\/balmoral-castle\/\" target=\"_self\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.elledecor.com\/celebrity-style\/celebrity-homes\/a40969807\/balmoral-castle\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Balmoral Castle\" data-node-id=\"43.1\" class=\"body-link css-1d9rwk5 emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Balmoral Castle<\/a> was Her Majesty\u2019s beloved summer retreat and, fittingly, the place where she passed away. The majestic building, typical of the Scottish Baronial period, was originally purchased by Prince Albert for Queen Victoria in 1852\u2014and has since remained a summer home for the royal family. The private residence, which sits on 50,000 acres with 150 total buildings, hosts the annual <a href=\"https:\/\/www.townandcountrymag.com\/society\/tradition\/a40861935\/queen-elizabeth-ghillies-ball-balmoral-scotland\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.townandcountrymag.com\/society\/tradition\/a40861935\/queen-elizabeth-ghillies-ball-balmoral-scotland\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Ghillies\u2019 Ball\" data-node-id=\"43.3\" class=\"body-link css-1d9rwk5 emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Ghillies\u2019 Ball<\/a>, a royal summer party that dates back to when Queen Victoria and Prince Albert would throw a summer party for their staff. Inside the castle, it\u2019s a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.elledecor.com\/celebrity-style\/celebrity-homes\/a40969807\/balmoral-castle\/\" target=\"_self\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.elledecor.com\/celebrity-style\/celebrity-homes\/a40969807\/balmoral-castle\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"tartan and chintz dreamland\" data-node-id=\"43.5\" class=\"body-link css-1d9rwk5 emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">tartan and chintz dreamland<\/a>. This year, King Charles III and Queen Camilla were at Balmoral in January (and the year prior), a break in Queen Elizabeth II\u2019s tradition of spending the first month of the year at Sandringham in Norfolk.<\/p>\n<p>Craigowan Lodge<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"46\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\"><strong data-node-id=\"46.0.0\">Aberdeenshire, Scotland<\/strong><br data-node-id=\"46.1\"\/><strong data-node-id=\"46.2\">Who\u2019s There Now: <\/strong>King Charles III<\/p>\n<p><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"craigowan lodge royal home in scotland\" title=\"Craigowan Lodge Royal Home In Scotland\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"696\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/craig-gowan-lodge-on-balmoral-estate-scotland-news-photo-1717612021.jpg\" class=\"css-0 e1ddfba50\"\/>Tim Graham\/\/Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Craigowan Lodge in Balmoral, United Kingdom.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"48\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\">Craigowan Lodge is located on the Balmoral estate\u2014just one mile away from Balmoral Castle\u2014in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. While it is sometimes described as a cottage, the house has seven bedrooms. When Princess Diana was alive, then-Prince Charles and she would often stay in the rustic house during their visits to the Scottish countryside, and the first official photos following their engagement were taken there. It was also used by Queen Elizabeth II in the first few days of her annual summer holiday in Scotland, while Balmoral Castle was being prepared for her extended stay. Upon her death, her son King Charles III inherited the lodge in September 2022. The estate is managed by Trustees under Deeds of Nomination and Appointment. The cottage is currently vacant, a private home that the royal family can visit and a house that can be used to welcome important guests.<\/p>\n<p>The Castle of Mey <\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"50\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\"><strong data-node-id=\"50.0.0\">Caithness, Scotland<\/strong><br data-node-id=\"50.1\"\/><strong data-node-id=\"50.2\">Who\u2019s There Now: <\/strong>King Charles III and the Prince\u2019s Foundation<\/p>\n<p><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"castle of mey\" title=\"Castle of Mey\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/castle-of-mey-near-thurso-caithness-picture-date-thursday-news-photo-1717612153.jpg\" class=\"css-0 e1ddfba50\"\/>Jane Barlow &#8211; PA Images\/\/Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Castle of Mey, near Thurso, Caithness.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"52\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\">The Queen Mother purchased the deteriorating Barrogill Castle in 1952 after visiting it with Lady Doris Vyner. In 1955, Her Majesty restored the structure\u2019s original name, the Castle of Mey, and extensively renovated the castle and gardens. In July 1996, the Queen Mother handed the property, the policies, and the farm over to the Queen Elizabeth Castle of Mey Trust that in 2019 passed stewardship on to the Prince\u2019s Foundation, helmed by King Charles III. It is now open seven days a week to the public, with a closed period of 10 days in July when King Charles III and Queen Camilla usually stay there. The trust also has a visitor center and a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tripadvisor.com\/Hotel_Review-g1096814-d17461599-Reviews-The_Granary_Lodge_Luxury_Bed_Breakfast-Mey_Thurso_Caithness_and_Sutherland_Scottish_.html\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.tripadvisor.com\/Hotel_Review-g1096814-d17461599-Reviews-The_Granary_Lodge_Luxury_Bed_Breakfast-Mey_Thurso_Caithness_and_Sutherland_Scottish_.html\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"bed-and-breakfast on the grounds.\" data-vars-ga-product-id=\"2cee5b75-aede-4df7-859b-73491df56def\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-node-id=\"52.1\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.tripadvisor.com\/Hotel_Review-g1096814-d17461599-Reviews-The_Granary_Lodge_Luxury_Bed_Breakfast-Mey_Thurso_Caithness_and_Sutherland_Scottish_.html\" data-product-url=\"https:\/\/www.tripadvisor.com\/Hotel_Review-g1096814-d17461599-Reviews-The_Granary_Lodge_Luxury_Bed_Breakfast-Mey_Thurso_Caithness_and_Sutherland_Scottish_.html\" data-affiliate=\"false\" data-affiliate-url=\"\" data-affiliate-network=\"\" data-fp-affiliate-inline-link=\"false\" data-fp-affiliate-button-link=\"false\" data-vars-ga-product-price=\"$0.00\" data-vars-ga-product-retailer-id=\"9837309d-4312-4435-aea4-e1f25aa998ce\" data-vars-ga-link-treatment=\"(not set) | (not set)\" class=\"body-link product-links noskim noamzn css-1d9rwk5 e1aq0z090\" data->bed-and-breakfast on the grounds.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Birkhall Castle <\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"54\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\"><strong data-node-id=\"54.0.0\">Aberdeenshire, England<\/strong><br data-node-id=\"54.1\"\/><strong data-node-id=\"54.2\">Who\u2019s There Now: <\/strong>King Charles III<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"55\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\">While Balmoral Castle was Queen Elizabeth II\u2019s beloved retreat, King Charles III and the Duchess of Cornwall have their own escape on the same estate: Birkhall. The centuries-old residence dates back to 1715, first coming into the royals\u2019 possession in 1852 when Prince Albert acquired it as a gift for his son, the future King Edward VII. George V ultimately lent it to Queen Elizabeth and her husband, who ended up there in their later years when Queen Elizabeth II took up residence at Balmoral, calling it the \u201clittle big house.\u201d After her death in 2002, it fell into the hands of the Prince of Wales. It has since held a special place in Charles\u2019s recollection, the backdrop for the two when they honeymooned in 2005. The two have continued to return to it for summer retreats and resided there during the Covid pandemic.<\/p>\n<p>Kensington Palace <\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"57\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\"><strong data-node-id=\"57.0.0\">London, England <\/strong><br data-node-id=\"57.1\"\/><strong data-node-id=\"57.2\">Who\u2019s There Now: <\/strong>Prince William and Princess Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke and Duchess of Kent, the Prince and Princess of Kent, and Princess Eugenie, partially<\/p>\n<p><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"kensington palace southern facade london, england\" title=\"Kensington Palace southern facade, London, England...\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"700\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/kensington-palace-southern-facade-london-england-united-news-photo-1663338257.jpg\" class=\"css-0 e1ddfba50\"\/><\/p>\n<p>DEA \/ W. BUSS\/\/Getty Images<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"59\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\">The majestic estate, estimated to be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/entertainment\/celebrity\/kate-middleton-prince-williams-enormously-27853367\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/entertainment\/celebrity\/kate-middleton-prince-williams-enormously-27853367\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"worth $740 million\" data-node-id=\"59.1\" class=\"body-link css-1d9rwk5 emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">worth $740 million<\/a>, has been a royal residence for 300 years, and since 2017, home to the Wales family, Prince William and Princess Catherine, with their three children in apartment 1A (formerly occupied by Princess Margaret). The family \u201capartment\u201d\u2014which underwent a $1.6 million renovation prior to the couple\u2019s 2013 move and an additional $4.9 million revamp the following year, according to Vogue\u2014features five reception rooms, three main bedrooms, a night and day nursery, and staff quarters.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"60\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\">According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.royal.uk\/royal-residences-kensington-palace\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.royal.uk\/royal-residences-kensington-palace\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"royal family\u2019s official website\" data-node-id=\"60.1\" class=\"body-link css-1d9rwk5 emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">royal family\u2019s official website<\/a>, other residents of Kensington Palace include: the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke and Duchess of Kent (living in the palace\u2019s Wren House), and the Prince and Princess of Kent (apartment 10). Princess Eugenie, William and Harry\u2019s cousin, also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hellomagazine.com\/homes\/814612\/princess-eugenie-charming-porch-london-home\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.hellomagazine.com\/homes\/814612\/princess-eugenie-charming-porch-london-home\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"stays\" data-node-id=\"60.3\" class=\"body-link css-1d9rwk5 emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">stays<\/a> on Kensington Palace grounds, in Ivy Cottage, when she is in the UK. She and her family split their time between the UK and their lavish family residence in Comporta, Portugal.<\/p>\n<p>Adelaide Cottage <\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"62\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\"><strong data-node-id=\"62.0.0\">Berkshire, England<\/strong><br data-node-id=\"62.1\"\/><strong data-node-id=\"62.2\">Who\u2019s There Now: <\/strong>Prince William and Princess Kate<\/p>\n<p><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"adelaide cottage\" title=\"adelaide cottage\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"768\" height=\"451\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/princeharrymeghanmarkleadelaide-cottage-jpg-1532455530-2-1532722319.jpg\" class=\"css-0 e1ddfba50\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Matrix \/ Mediapunch\u200b<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"64\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\">Located on the east side of Windsor Castle grounds, Adelaide Cottage is a 10-minute walk away from Windsor Castle. This royal residence was built in 1831 by architect Jeffry Wyatville and commissioned by King William IV for his wife Queen Adelaide. Queen Victoria <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rct.uk\/collection\/919764\/adelaide-cottage\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.rct.uk\/collection\/919764\/adelaide-cottage\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"reportedly\" data-node-id=\"64.1\" class=\"body-link css-1d9rwk5 emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">reportedly<\/a> often visited this peaceful cottage, which apparently was once called Adelaide Lodge.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"65\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\">After Queen Elizabeth II made Windsor Castle her official residence, the Wales family followed to support her in the final years of her reign. The family made the move just weeks before the Queen\u2019s death. Though the word cottage can be misleading (it has gilded dolphins and rope decoration on the ceiling of the master bedroom, which is said to have been recycled from a 19th-century royal yacht), Adelaide Cottage is a major downgrade from Kensington Palace, with a modest four bedrooms. <\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"66\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\">William, Kate, and their children moved out of Adelaide Cottage in November 2025, relocating to the larger Forest Lodge nearby. Royal watchers have linked the move to the family&#8217;s desire for more space and a fresh start following Queen Elizabeth\u2019s death and Kate\u2019s 2024 cancer treatment and recovery, both of which took place while the family lived at the cottage. As of mid-2026, Adelaide Cottage remains unoccupied, with no new resident yet announced.<\/p>\n<p>Frogmore Cottage <\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"68\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\"><strong data-node-id=\"68.0.0\">Windsor, England <\/strong><br data-node-id=\"68.1\"\/><strong data-node-id=\"68.2\">Who\u2019s There Now: <\/strong>It has remained vacant since Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, left their UK home.<\/p>\n<p><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"general views of frogmore cottage\" title=\"General Views Of Frogmore Cottage\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"863\" height=\"575\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/general-view-of-frogmore-cottage-at-frogmore-cottage-on-news-photo-1663338616.jpg\" class=\"css-0 e1ddfba50\"\/><\/p>\n<p>GOR\/\/Getty Images<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"70\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\">Frogmore Cottage (not to be confused with Frogmore House, which shares the same grounds half a mile from Windsor Castle) was originally constructed between 1680 and 1684 and was the home of Queen Victoria\u2019s mother, the Duchess of Kent. The Grade II\u2013listed royal retreat later became a retreat for Queen Charlotte and her daughters at the beginning of the 19th century\u2014and more recently, was Prince Harry and Meghan Markle\u2019s UK home together. The couple spent roughly $3.2 million renovating the property before repaying the cost in full in 2020 after moving to California. Princess Eugenie and her husband lived at the cottage from 2020 until May 2022. Harry and Meghan were asked to vacate the property in 2023, after which Frogmore Cottage has sat empty.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"71\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\">As of 2026, Frogmore Cottage remains vacant, and<a rel=\"noopener nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cosmopolitan.com\/entertainment\/celebs\/a71427245\/royals-reversing-frogmore-cottage-renovation\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.cosmopolitan.com\/entertainment\/celebs\/a71427245\/royals-reversing-frogmore-cottage-renovation\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\" reports\" data-node-id=\"71.1\" class=\"body-link css-1d9rwk5 emevuu60\"> reports<\/a> throughout the year indicate the royal household is reversing the Sussexes\u2019 roughly \u00a32.4 million renovation, potentially subdividing the cottage back into separate staff residences as it existed before Harry and Meghan&#8217;s overhaul. Harry and Meghan themselves are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.elledecor.com\/celebrity-style\/a73484793\/where-meghan-markle-prince-harry-moving-uk-home\/\" target=\"_self\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.elledecor.com\/celebrity-style\/a73484793\/where-meghan-markle-prince-harry-moving-uk-home\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"reportedly \" data-node-id=\"71.3\" class=\"body-link css-1d9rwk5 emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">reportedly <\/a>moving back to the UK, but Frogmore Cottage is not expected to be part of those plans going forward.<\/p>\n<p>Clarence House <\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"73\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\"><strong data-node-id=\"73.0.0\">London<\/strong><br data-node-id=\"73.1\"\/><strong data-node-id=\"73.2\">Who\u2019s There Now: <\/strong>King Charles III and Queen Camilla<\/p>\n<p><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"chogm london 2018  day 3\" title=\"CHOGM London 2018 - Day 3\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/general-view-of-guests-as-prince-charles-prince-of-wales-news-photo-1663264204.jpg\" class=\"css-0 e1ddfba50\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Chris Jackson\/\/Getty Images<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"75\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.royal.uk\/royal-residences-clarence-house#:~:text=%E2%80%8BToday%20Clarence%20House%20is,and%20The%20Duchess%20of%20Cornwall.\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.royal.uk\/royal-residences-clarence-house#:~:text=%E2%80%8BToday%20Clarence%20House%20is,and%20The%20Duchess%20of%20Cornwall.\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Clarence House\" data-node-id=\"75.0\" class=\"body-link css-1d9rwk5 emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Clarence House<\/a>, which stands beside St. James\u2019s Palace and is within walking distance of Buckingham Palace, has been home to King Charles III and Camilla the Queen Consort for almost 20 years. The pair moved in during 2003 and will continue to call it home indefinitely. Built in 1825\u201327, the townhouse was the home of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip after their marriage in 1947. It was also the London home of the Queen Mother from 1953 to 2002. Prince William and Prince Harry also lived here until moving into their own private residences at Kensington Palace in 2011 and 2012, respectively.<\/p>\n<p>Highgrove House <\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"77\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\"><strong data-node-id=\"77.0.0\">Gloucestershire, England<\/strong><br data-node-id=\"77.1\"\/><strong data-node-id=\"77.2\">Who\u2019s There Now: <\/strong>King Charles III, on occasion<br data-node-id=\"77.4\"\/><\/p>\n<p><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"charles at home highgrove\" title=\"Charles At Home Highgrove\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2801\" height=\"1736\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/prince-charles-in-the-gardens-at-his-country-home-highgrove-news-photo-1663339043.jpg\" class=\"css-0 e1ddfba50\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Tim Graham\/\/Getty Images<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"79\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\">The place where King Charles spent his first day <a href=\"https:\/\/news.sky.com\/story\/king-charless-highgrove-hideaway-the-gloucestershire-estate-beloved-by-the-monarch-12697817#:~:text=The%20house%20technically%20belongs%20to,according%20to%20the%20Daily%20Mail.\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/news.sky.com\/story\/king-charless-highgrove-hideaway-the-gloucestershire-estate-beloved-by-the-monarch-12697817#:~:text=The%20house%20technically%20belongs%20to,according%20to%20the%20Daily%20Mail.\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"in private reflection\" data-vars-ga-product-id=\"50e163ce-18c0-41a0-9a11-8f311f833aae\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-node-id=\"79.1\" data-href=\"https:\/\/news.sky.com\/story\/king-charless-highgrove-hideaway-the-gloucestershire-estate-beloved-by-the-monarch-12697817#:~:text=The%20house%20technically%20belongs%20to,according%20to%20the%20Daily%20Mail.\" data-product-url=\"https:\/\/news.sky.com\/story\/king-charless-highgrove-hideaway-the-gloucestershire-estate-beloved-by-the-monarch-12697817#:~:text=The%20house%20technically%20belongs%20to,according%20to%20the%20Daily%20Mail.\" data-affiliate=\"false\" data-affiliate-url=\"\" data-affiliate-network=\"\" data-fp-affiliate-inline-link=\"false\" data-fp-affiliate-button-link=\"false\" data-vars-ga-product-price=\"$2,026.00\" data-vars-ga-product-retailer-id=\"8fdfa778-59f7-4b8a-a6c6-9b4f1e9af94a\" data-vars-ga-link-treatment=\"(not set) | (not set)\" class=\"body-link product-links noskim noamzn css-1d9rwk5 e1aq0z090\" data->in private reflection<\/a> since his mother\u2019s death, this Georgian neoclassical house has been a retreat for the king since he first bought it in 1980. He and his then-wife Princess Diana renovated the nine-bedroom mansion, which dates back to the 1780s, and transformed the gardens into an environmentally friendly wonderland of rare trees and plants.<\/p>\n<p>St. James\u2019s Palace <\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"81\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\"><strong data-node-id=\"81.0.0\">London<\/strong><br data-node-id=\"81.1\"\/><strong data-node-id=\"81.2\">Who\u2019s There Now:<\/strong> Princess Anne and Princess Alexandra use it as their London base.<\/p>\n<p><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"st james district in london, united kingdom on november, 2003\" title=\"St James District In London, United Kingdom On November, 2003\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"3008\" height=\"1960\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/st-james-palace-in-london-united-kingdom-on-november-2003-news-photo-1663301973.jpg\" class=\"css-0 e1ddfba50\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Maurice ROUGEMONT\/\/Getty Images<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"83\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\">Built by Henry VIII between 1531 and 1536, St. James\u2019s Palace was a residence of kings and queens for over 300 years\u2014until the reign of Queen Victoria. Many family occasions have been held at this historic palace, including the marriages of George III and Queen Charlotte; Victoria and Albert; and George V and Queen Mary; the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/news\/article-2472989\/Prince-Georges-christening-Royal-family-St-James-baptism-Kate-Williams-baby.html\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/news\/article-2472989\/Prince-Georges-christening-Royal-family-St-James-baptism-Kate-Williams-baby.html\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"christening of Prince George\" data-node-id=\"83.1\" class=\"body-link css-1d9rwk5 emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">christening of Prince George<\/a> in 2013; and more recently, the setting where King Charles III was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/2022\/sep\/10\/king-charles-iii-st-james-palace-ceremony-accession\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/2022\/sep\/10\/king-charles-iii-st-james-palace-ceremony-accession\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"proclaimed as monarch\" data-node-id=\"83.3\" class=\"body-link css-1d9rwk5 emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">proclaimed as monarch<\/a> on September 10. Just around the corner from Buckingham Palace, the palace is used by many royals as their London base, including Princess Anne, who also lives at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.womanandhome.com\/life\/royal-news\/gatcombe-park-mike-zara-tindall-princess-anne-home-327322\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.womanandhome.com\/life\/royal-news\/gatcombe-park-mike-zara-tindall-princess-anne-home-327322\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Gatcombe Park\" data-node-id=\"83.5\" class=\"body-link css-1d9rwk5 emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Gatcombe Park<\/a>, and Princess Alexandra.<\/p>\n<p><img src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1788217963_689_afe6c5ab-daa4-4248-860f-c8bebef90726_1735829133.jpg\" alt=\"Headshot of Julia Cancilla\" title=\"Headshot of Julia Cancilla\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"css-o0wq4v ev8dhu53\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Julia Cancilla is the social media &amp; news editor at ELLE Decor, where she oversees the brand&#8217;s socials and covers design, pop culture, and emerging trends. She also authors the monthly ELLE Decoroscope column. Her work has appeared in Inked magazine, House Beautiful, Marie Claire, and more.<\/p>\n<p><img src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/b85a160d-bf23-4a99-9280-dc2bd1b99418_1659555263.file.png\" alt=\"Headshot of Rachel Silva\" title=\"Headshot of Rachel Silva\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"css-o0wq4v ev8dhu53\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Rachel Silva is a freelance writer and editor covering design, architecture, and culture. She previously served as an editor at ELLE Decor, and her work has appeared in Harper\u2019s Bazaar, TIME, and Veranda, among others. A graduate of Columbia Journalism School, she is based in New York City.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"13 min read Keeping up with the royals is far more of a wild goose chase than keeping&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1179740,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[7708],"tags":[86441,19970,2633,42644,319837,106196,24674,8167,257,1763,8821,5105,7710,519,448,19742,102791,301136,8688,17203],"class_list":["post-1179739","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-royals","tag-adelaide-cottage","tag-balmoral-castle","tag-buckingham-palace","tag-clarence-house","tag-elizabeth-funeral","tag-frogmore-cottage","tag-highgrove-house","tag-kensington-palace","tag-london","tag-queen-elizabeth-ii","tag-queen-elizabeth","tag-royal","tag-royal-families","tag-royal-family","tag-royals","tag-sandringham-house","tag-st-jamess-palace","tag-the-monarchy","tag-the-royal-family","tag-windsor-castle"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/117192661084757081","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1179739","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1179739"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1179739\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1179740"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1179739"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1179739"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1179739"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}