King and Queen will not live in Buckingham Palace after renovations

King Charles will never live in landmark despite £369m upgrade, but aides stress it will remain ‘buzzing hive’ of royal activity Not all modern British monarchs have viewed the prospect of moving into Buckingham Palace with unalloyed joy. So in announcing he will never live there, after the completion of its £369m upgrade next year, King Charles has at least grasped that nettle. Queen Victoria was initially dismayed by the damp, dingy and disorganised building that greeted her and Prince Albert in 1837. It was Albert who refashioned it into “Monarchy HQ”.

The decision was announced Thursday during a briefing on royal finances at which Charles became the first British monarch to reveal the taxes he paid to the government. (Image credit: Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Buckingham Palace has been the British monarch’s official residence in London for nearly two centuries. But royal officials say King Charles and Queen Camilla won’t reside there.