Buckingham Palace has been home to British monarchs for nearly 200 years, but the King’s decision not to move in after renovations are completed may signal the end of an era.
His Majesty was born in the sprawling central London palace, which has been home to the royal family since 1837, and lived there as a child, but didn’t move in after he became king in 2022 because it
was in the middle of an extensive makeover.
The modernisation work – costing an eye-watering $863 million – is due to finish in March after a decade.
But Charles, 77, and Queen Camilla, 78, will break with tradition and stay put in nearby Clarence House, where they’ve been living since 2003.
Redefining royal life
Prince William is said to have no desire to live in Buckingham Palace now that he and his family have found their “forever home” – Forest Lodge on the Windsor estate – which means a British monarch may never call it home again.
The Keeper of the Privy Purse, James Chalmers, has confirmed that the King and Queen will use Clarence House to give the public greater access to Buckingham Palace, which is currently open to visitors for three months each year.
It will continue to be used for events like garden parties, state dinners and meetings with dignitaries, and staff will keep working from their offices there.
James explains, “We are seeking to widen public access to maximise the national benefit of a publicly funded building. But it will continue to be both the ceremonial and operational centre of royal life.”
Meanwhile, in another historic first for the royal family, the King has revealed his annual tax bill. His payable tax for the 2024-2025 financial year was $30 million, an increase from $27.3 million in the previous 12 months.
William has also revealed his tax bill for the first time. He paid $18.15 million on money earned from the Duchy of Cornwall.
George ready to take flight
His dad, Prince William, is a skilled pilot and now it looks like Prince George may be keen to follow in his footsteps.
The youngster was excited to sit in the cockpits of several historic air force planes during a visit to RAF Coningsby, in Lincolnshire, as part of Armed Forces Day. William, 44, has previously said he thinks his oldest son is a “potential pilot in the making”.
It was a rare public outing for George, 12, who accompanied his mum, the Princess of Wales, 44, as she toured the base in her role as its Royal Honorary Air Commodore. Catherine also sat behind the controls and when she later posed for photos with her son in front of an aircraft, it was noted that, although he’s still not quite a teenager, George is nearly as tall as she is.
Retreats and getaways
Further revelations from the Jeffrey Epstein files show that Sarah Ferguson met with the disgraced financier twice while he was serving a sentence for child sex abuse.
Newly released emails show that the former Duchess of York caught up with the late paedophile at an office in Palm Beach, Florida, in April and May 2009. Epstein set up a bogus company to secure work release from jail while serving a 13-month term after pleading guilty to soliciting a person under 18 for prostitution. He spent up to 12 hours a day at the office, six days a week, under the supervision of off-duty sheriff’s deputies.
The first time they met, Fergie, 66, asked to see him for “a quick cup of tea” so she could give him documents relating to a charity. The next time she emailed Epstein, asking if his driver could pick her up from the airport, take her to see him at the office, then drive her to Miami.
There has been no comment on the revelations from Fergie, who is believed to still be hiding out at an upmarket retreat in Austria.
Meanwhile, her ex-husband, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, has enjoyed a luxury three-day break in France courtesy of a good friend. Andrew, 66, flew by private jet to a stud farm in Brittany owned by Dubai billionaire Mohammad A. Baker.
He spent his time there playing boules, eating meals prepared by Mohammad’s personal chef and riding horses on the beach.
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