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Inside Clarence House: King Charles and Camilla, Queen Consort's home for almost 20 years

clarence house
Everything you need to know about Clarence House Chris Jackson - Getty Images

Clarence House, which stands adjacent to St James's Palace, was the official London residence of the former Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall – now King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort.

As one of the last remaining aristocratic townhouses in London, this property is steeped in royal history.

Before Charles became King, Clarence House was used for official receptions and entertaining, while also providing office accommodation for the Royal Household. It has been described as 'very much a home' as it continues to play a part in the life of the Royal Family and the nation.

Ahead of King Charles III's Coronation on Saturday 6th May 2023, here's everything you need to know about Clarence House, including when it was built and the inspiration behind its interiors.

Who built Clarence House?

Clarence House was built between 1825 and 1827 to the designs of John Nash for Prince William Henry, Duke of Clarence (later King William IV) and his wife Adelaide. With a pristine white facade, Nash created a bright, stuccoed mansion of classical proportions. But the final cost of £22,232 was more than double what he had originally estimated, the Royal Collection Trust reveal.

Who lives at Clarence House?

Charles and Camilla have been residents of Clarence House for almost 20 years, having lived there since 2003. While it is yet to be officially confirmed whether the King and Queen Consort will live at Buckingham Palace, reports from The Independent suggest that the couple will remain at Clarence House until the major refurbishment works at Buckingham Palace have been completed. There is currently a 10-year renovation project in the works to keep the building fit for the future.

clarence house
Tim Graham - Getty Images

Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on 8th September 2022, and Charles' accession to the throne, Clarence House has since ceased operations. A Clarence House spokesman told The Guardian: 'Following last week's accession, the operations of the household of the former Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall have ceased and, as required by law, a consultation process has begun. Our staff have given long and loyal service and, while some redundancies will be unavoidable, we are working urgently to identify alternative roles for the greatest possible number of staff.'

Before Charles and Camilla's residency, Clarence House was the home of Queen Elizabeth II (then Princess Elizabeth) and Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh following their marriage in 1947 until her accession as Queen in 1952. Charles lived here too between the ages of one and three, and his sister, Princess Anne, was born at Clarence House in August 1950.

Clarence House was also the London home of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother for almost five decades. She moved in with her daughter, Princess Margaret, shortly before the Coronation in 1953 until 2002.

the royal family outside clarence house on the queen mother's 90th birthday
The Royal Family outside Clarence House on the Queen Mother’s 90th birthdayTim Graham - Getty Images

Clarence House residents:

  • William Henry, Duke of Clarence and Queen Adelaide, 1827 - 1837

  • Victoria, Duchess of Kent, 1841 - 1861

  • Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh and Marie, Duchess of Edinburgh, 1866 - 1900

  • Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn and Louise, Duchess of Connaught, 1901 - 1942

  • Princess Elizabeth and Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, 1947 - 1952

  • Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, 1953 - 2002

  • The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, 2003 - 2022.

king charles ii and camilla, queen consort, greet crowds outside buckingham palace
King Charles II and Camilla, Queen Consort, greet crowds outside Buckingham Palace BEN STANSALL - Getty Images

Clarence House: Interiors

Clarence House has five bedrooms, a drawing room with a central fireplace, and a morning room filled with personal photographs, artworks and antiques. The garden room, created by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother from two rooms, is used for welcoming official visitors and features musical instruments (including King Charles' harp), family photographs, and works of art such as a Leandro Bassano painting of Noah's Ark (left below).

Meanwhile, the morning room was originally designed as the breakfast room and, between 1949 and 1952, was used as The Duke of Edinburgh's study. It was also where Prince William and Kate Middleton, now the Prince and Princess of Wales, conducted their official engagement interview in 2010. From receptions to royal Christmas parties, the house has opened its doors to a host of guests over the years.

To prepare the building for Charles, Clarence House underwent extensive refurbishment and redecoration. The renovation included new colour schemes, updated textiles, and several new pieces from the Royal Collection and from King Charles' own art collection.

Can you visit Clarence House?

Clarence House is currently closed to visitors. No information has been given on when it will reopen. For more information, please visit rct.uk.

Before the pandemic, Clarence House was open to the public during the summer months, with visitors given a guided tour around the five rooms and adjoining spaces on the ground floor. The tour of Clarence House would begin in the garden, where visitors could see the formal area added by the King in 2004 in memory of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.

clarence house
Tim Graham - Getty Images

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