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Prince Charles and Camilla's vast country mansion is their favourite retreat – photos

While Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall have a main residence in London - Clarence House, they also have a country retreat in Gloucestershire. Highgrove House is the location of choice for the royal couple when they don't have any official engagements in the UK capital.

SEE: Inside the Cambridges' jaw-dropping country home in Norfolk

Prince Charles bought the property in 1980, and he first lived there with Princess Diana and his two sons Prince William and Prince Harry. The nine-bedroom, six-bathroom mansion is renowned for its beautiful décor and stunning gardens, and it will hopefully be reopened in 2022 to the public as it has remained closed due to the pandemic. In the meantime, take a tour...

WATCH: Prince Charles and Camilla's home Highgrove House

In 1980, just before Prince Charles moved into the property, a photo of one of the living rooms was released. It revealed a floral sofa with matching curtains, and several separate armchairs. There was also a wooden chest of drawers and coordinating side tables, as well as multiple floral desk lamps with white shades.

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2-Highgrove-living-room

SEE: 11 beautiful royal living rooms

At the same time, a photo of the dining room revealed a large table with space for six guests, and more floral curtains. There were also two mounted candelabras and two framed photos on the walls.

SEE: Inside Princess Diana's private home in Kensington Palace

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3-Highgrove-dining-room

Two years later in 1982 once Prince Charles had moved in, a coloured photo revealed more detail of one of the living rooms. Charles sat on a cream sofa with green and blue patterned cushions, and there was a dark chestnut wood side table with framed photos and ornaments on it. There was also a desk lamp with a white shade, and a house plant in a white pot. The room has cream walls and large sash windows.

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4-Prince-Charles-highgrove

A series of family photos were released in 1986. This one showed Princess Diana playing with Harry and William in the garden on a children's climbing frame and slide.

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5-Highgrove-garden

Princess Diana and Harry were photographed in the gardens with a Shetland pony. The area was framed with wooden fencing.

SEE: 10 of the most picturesque royal gardens

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6-Highgrove-pony

The family also had their own swimming pool.

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7-Highgrove-garden

LOOK: Prince Charles' unexpected animal décor at London home revealed

In another area of the garden, there was a white wooden pagoda with a matching bench.

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8-Prince-Charles-highgrove-garden

The family posed in the wild flower meadow surrounding the house.

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9-Highgrove-driveway

An exterior shot of the property revealed that it was covered in climbing plants, while the front door was cream with a glass panel at the top.

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10-Highgrove-frontage

In 2005, Prince Charles and Camilla welcomed Ty Hafan Children's Hospice into their home. This photo was taken in the Orchard Room in Highgrove House, featuring red and cream patterned carpet, concrete walls and plinths, and an alcove-shaped ceiling. There was also a large chandelier hanging above the Christmas tree.

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11-Highgrove-hallway

The couple hosted another reception for children with life-limiting illnesses in 2007, and this photo revealed that the couple have framed photos of several royal residences on the walls.

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12-Highgrove-reception

The 18th century residence is surrounded by 900 acres of organic land, including a farm which Prince Charles installed when he first renovated the house.

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