Where do the royals live?
One may assume that the 40 or so living royals wander the halls of Buckingham Palace, sipping tea together and debating the historical accuracy of Queen Charlotte and The Crown, but such is not the case. Few royals actually visit Buckingham Palace on the regular, let alone live there.
So, where do the royals actually live?
Lots of places. There are 22 royal residences stretching from London to Gloucester to Aberdeenshire to County Down. Let’s take a peek into a few of the main British palaces and see who’s claimed the bedrooms.
Image Credit: Andrew Holt, Royal Collection Trust / © His Majesty King Charles III 2024. Image Location: Buckingham Palace, London, England
Everything you need to know about the British palaces
Consider us your guides to the royal real estate around the United Kingdom.
Do all the royals live in the same house?
No, and quite frankly, we’re not surprised. Even if you owned a mansion as grand as Windsor Castle or Buckingham Palace, would you want to live in the same crib as your immediate family, extended family, and family by marriage? We didn’t think so. The royals have multiple plots of real estate in the UK to call home.
Where do King Charles and Camilla live?
King Charles has three official residences. The first is obvious: Buckingham Palace in London. The second you could guess: Windsor Castle. The third is the Palace of the Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, Scotland. King Charles and Queen Camilla actually live in the Clarence House, a townhouse just opposite Buckingham Palace, and will likely live there as long as the palace undergoes restoration.
🚆 If ever His Majesty desired, he could take the train from London to Edinburgh in 4.5 hours, and so can you.
Image Credit: Derry Moore, Royal Collection Trust / © His Majesty King Charles III 2024. Image Location: Buckingham Palace, London, England
Who owns Buckingham Palace?
Royalty may have its perks, but their real estate portfolio isn’t quite as loaded as you’d imagine. The monarchy does not own Buckingham Palace, even if the King’s name is on the mail. Many royal properties in the UK are property of The Crown Estate, which is an independent business that manages the properties. The King has the right to it during his reign and so will the next in line, but he cannot sell, collect revenue on, or even Airbnb it.
🚆 The Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace is worth seeing at least once, so take the London Underground to either Green Park, Hyde Park Corner, Victoria, or St. James’ Park to see it.
Image Credit: Getty Images, retosteffen. Image Location: St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, Windsor, England
Who lives at Windsor Castle in 2024?
Technically, Windsor Castle is one of the official residences for King Charles, so he could crash there any time he wants. Those who live at Windsor Castle in 2024 on a daily basis include the housekeepers, the superintendent, the Military Knights of Windsor, the Dean of Windsor and staff of the College of St. George, and the Constable and Governor of Windsor Castle. So yes, in theory, you could land a job that lets you sleep at Windsor Castle more than the King.
🚆 To get to Windsor Castle, one of the best day trips from London, take the train from London Paddington to Windsor & Eton Central or London Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Riverside.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Baloncici. Image Location: Kensington Palace, London, England
How many royal residences are there in London?
There are six royal residences in London: Buckingham Palace, Clarence House, Kensington Palace, Wren House (which is adjacent to Kensington Palace), St James’s Palace (near Buckingham Palace), and Thatched House Lodge in Richmond (yes, the very same Richmond where they filmed Ted Lasso).
🚆 Logic says to take the train to Richmond to reach the Thatched House Lodge, but the train from London Waterloo to Norbiton gets you closer and cuts down on the walk across Richmond Park.
Who lives at Clarence House?
King Charles and Queen Camilla live at Clarence House. They moved into the townhouse in 2003, shortly after the passing of The Queen Mother, who had lived there since 1953.
🚆 Take the London Underground to the Green Park stop and you can’t miss Clarence House, just beyond St James’s Palace.
Image Credit and Location: Sandringham House, Sandringham, Norfolk, England
Where is Sandringham Castle?
Sandringham House (not Castle) is the country estate of King Charles and Queen Camilla, located in Sandringham, Norfolk. ‘Sandringham’ may ring a bell for Outlander fans envisioning a residence for the Duke of Sandringham, but he is but a fictional character who never laid claim to Sandringham House.
🚆 The Sandringham Estate is best reached taking the train from London Kings Cross to Kings Lynn, then the bus or taxi up to the grounds.
Where is King Charles’s Welsh home?
Prior to the Coronation of King Charles, His Majesty owned a property near Llwynywermod in Carmarthenshire, Wales. It’s known as the Llwynywermod Estate and he relinquished ownership of it when he became King.
🚆 Want to see what charming Welsh country home King Charles once owned? Hop a train at London Paddington, transfer in Swansea, then get off at Llandovery and take a cab to Llwynywermod Estate.
Royal railways
Let us show you around the coolest castles in Europe (including the castles that inspired your favorite Disney movies and the Queen’s favorite place, Balmoral Castle). Download the Trainline app and ride the rails to the royal residences today.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, gregobagel. Image Location: Canada Gate, Buckingham Palace, London, England