general view of sandringham house
CELEBRITY STYLE

A Look at the British Royal Family’s Impressive Real Estate Portfolio

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Being a member of the British royal family comes with an array of privileges, including the opulence of their residences, which range from gilded palaces to diamond-studded spaces. Among the prominent properties is Clarence House, serving as the King’s official London residence, and Highgrove House in Gloucestershire, England, cherished as a favored retreat and a constant in the public eye. Yet, the royal family’s extensive property portfolio extends far beyond these iconic residences. Following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8, 2022, and the subsequent coronation of Charles III on May 6, 2023, there have been notable shifts in their dwelling arrangements. From historic Tudor-era private estates to picturesque countryside cottages, this overview delves into the diverse and lavish homes that the royal family has occupied, offering insights into who resides where in this regal real estate portfolio.

Buckingham Palace

London, England
Who’s Moving In: King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla (Potentially)

queen elizabeth and prince philip's main residence

Situated in the heart of the capital, Buckingham Palace stands as the epitome of royal residences and is a prime attraction for countless daily visitors eager to be in the vicinity of royalty. Designated as the private quarters for Queen Elizabeth II since 1936, this neoclassical-style palace is speculated to become the new residence for King Charles III and his Queen Consort. However, the Queen, during her lifetime, initiated an extensive refurbishment project for the palace, anticipated to span a decade for completion. Potential delays in King Charles’s relocation might be attributed to this ambitious renovation endeavor. Additionally, recent property adjustments include Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ending their lease at Frogmore Cottage, at King Charles’s request, and rumors circulating about Prince Andrew possibly vacating Royal Lodge (see below). These changes hint at the possibility of King Charles opting for an alternative residence, allowing the 775-room Buckingham Palace to potentially serve as a museum, as previously rumored.

Buckingham Palace, an architectural masterpiece in neoclassical design, has served as the official London residence for the United Kingdom’s monarchs since 1837, with Queen Victoria being the first monarch to take up residence there. Prince Andrew, the third-born of Queen Elizabeth, currently divides his time between Buckingham Palace and the Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park (see below). However, recent developments suggest that this arrangement might undergo alterations, as King Charles has offered Prince Andrew the keys to Frogmore Cottage. Following Queen Elizabeth’s passing, King Charles is set to inherit Buckingham Palace.

Balmoral Castle

Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Who Gets It: King Charles III

balmoral castle

Balmoral Castle, steeped in history and nestled in the Scottish landscape, held a special place in Queen Elizabeth II’s heart and served as her cherished summer retreat. Poignantly, it was at Balmoral Castle where Her Majesty passed away. Originally acquired by Prince Albert for Queen Victoria in 1852, this majestic edifice, exemplifying the Scottish Baronial architectural style, has retained its role as a summer residence for the royal family. The expansive private estate, sprawling across 50,000 acres and featuring 150 buildings, provides a picturesque setting for the annual Ghillies’ Ball—a longstanding royal summer tradition initiated by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, where a summer celebration was hosted for the staff. Within the castle’s confines, one is transported into a realm of tartan and chintz, creating a dreamlike ambiance.

Kensington Palace

London, England
Who’s Moving In: Potentially Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Who’s There Now: 
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke and Duchess of Kent, the Prince and Princess of Kent, Princess Eugenie

kensington palace southern facade london, england

Kensington Palace, a regal residence with an estimated value of $740 million, has served as a royal abode for three centuries. Since 2017, it has been the residence of the Cambridges—Prince William and Kate Middleton, along with their three children, residing in apartment 1A, formerly occupied by Princess Margaret. The family’s “apartment” underwent substantial renovations, with a $1.6 million overhaul preceding their move in 2013 and an additional $4.9 million revamp the following year. The accommodation boasts five reception rooms, three main bedrooms, a night and day nursery, as well as staff quarters. Recently, the Cambridges relocated to Adelaide Cottage in Berkshire.

During the Cambridges’ absence, Kensington Palace reportedly welcomed four new tenants. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who purchased a nine-bedroom home in Montecito, California, in 2020, returned to the U.K., renting a new residence in Kensington Palace. This move is seen as a significant gesture in rebuilding their relationship with the rest of the royal family, according to royal expert Duncan Larcombe. The rental is viewed as a potential occasional home for the couple, offering them a place to stay when in the U.K., rather than a permanent residence. The expert notes a softening in Harry and Meghan’s attitudes towards the royal family since the publication of Harry’s book, “Spare,” in January.

Other residents of Kensington Palace, as listed on the royal family’s official website, include the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke and Duchess of Kent (residing in Wren House), the Prince and Princess of Kent (apartment 10), and Princess Eugenie, Harry and William’s cousin. Princess Eugenie and her husband moved into Nottingham Cottage, previously the first home of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, earlier this year.

ADELAIDE COTTAGE

Berkshire, England
Who’s Moving In: No one (that we know of)
Who’s There Now: Prince William and Kate Middleton

adelaide cottage

Adelaide Cottage, situated on the east side of Windsor Castle grounds, is a royal residence with a rich history. Built in 1831 by architect Jeffry Wyatville and commissioned by King William IV for Queen Adelaide, it was once called Adelaide Lodge. The cottage, located a 10-minute walk from Windsor Castle, became a favored retreat for Queen Victoria, who frequently visited its peaceful surroundings.

Last summer, Queen Elizabeth II made Windsor Castle her official residence, leading the Cambridges to relocate to Adelaide Cottage in support of her during the final years of her reign. This move took place in September, just weeks before the Queen’s passing. Despite rumors suggesting a shuffle of royal residences and Prince Andrew potentially vacating Royal Lodge for the Prince and Princess of Wales, a source close to William and Kate clarified that the couple is “extremely happy” at Adelaide Cottage. While the term “cottage” may be misleading, given the lavish interior details such as gilded dolphins and rope decoration in the master bedroom, sourced from a 19th-century royal yacht, Adelaide Cottage represents a significant downgrade from the grandeur of Kensington Palace, featuring a modest four bedrooms.

Windsor Castle

Berkshire, England
Who Gets It: 
King Charles III
Who’s Moving In: Likely Prince William and Kate Middleton

windsor castle is pictured from the long

Windsor Castle, often affectionately known as “the Big House,” stands as the oldest inhabited castle globally, deeply entwined with Britain’s royal history for nearly a millennium. Commissioned by William the Conqueror in around 1070, the castle’s construction spanned 16 years. While Queen Elizabeth II formally made Windsor Castle her official residence earlier in the year, she had been frequenting the castle for private weekends throughout her reign. Additionally, she spent a month in the spring for Easter Court, as well as a week each June for the Royal Ascot and the service of the Order of the Garter.

Following the Queen’s passing, King Charles has inherited Windsor Castle. Reports from the Sunday Times suggest that Prince William and Kate Middleton may eventually take up residence in the castle, assuming new roles in light of their change in status. However, the relocation may be postponed, given their recent move to Adelaide Cottage.

Frogmore Cottage

Windsor, England
Who’s Moving In: Prince Andrew was set to move in, but those plans have been delayed while his ex-wife recovers from surgery
Who’s There Now: It remains vacant since Prince Harry and Meghan’s left their U.K. home

general views of frogmore cottage

Frogmore Cottage, distinct from Frogmore House located half a mile away from Windsor Castle, has a rich history dating back to its construction between 1680 and 1684. Originally the residence of Queen Victoria’s mother, the Duchess of Kent, this Grade II listed royal retreat served as a haven for Queen Charlotte and her daughters in the early 19th century. More recently, it became the second home of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who controversially used $3.2 million for renovations, later reimbursing the amount in full in early 2020 before their move to California.

In 2020, Princess Eugenie and her husband resided at Frogmore Cottage with their son until May 2022. Despite the Sussexes’ initial plan to maintain Frogmore Cottage as a UK residence, their arrangement changed in May 2023. Following Charles’ ascent to the throne, he “offered” the keys to the cottage to Prince Andrew, leading Prince Harry and Meghan to vacate their residence. Reports from The Sun suggest that, post the release of Harry’s memoir “Spare,” the Sussexes are organizing the shipment of their remaining belongings to the US.

Frogmore Cottage boasts features that defy its humble name, including two orangeries, a vegetable garden, and a yoga studio. Renowned interior designer Vicky Charles was tapped for the cottage’s design. Plans for Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson’s move from Royal Lodge to Frogmore Cottage, both on the Windsor Estate, have reportedly been put on hold due to Ferguson’s recent eight-hour mastectomy for breast cancer recovery, as reported by The Independent in July.

Clarence House

London, England
Who’s Moving In: No one (that we know of)
Who’s There Now: King Charles III and Queen Camilla

chogm london 2018 day 3

Nestled beside St. James’s Palace and within strolling distance of Buckingham Palace, Clarence House has been the residence of King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla for nearly two decades. Their occupancy began in 2003, and it’s slated to continue until the refurbishments at Buckingham Palace conclude. This historic townhouse, constructed between 1825 and 1827, held significance as the residence of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip following their marriage in 1947. Moreover, it served as the London abode for the Queen Mother from 1953 to 2002.

Notably, Clarence House also housed Prince William and Prince Harry until they transitioned to their private residences at Kensington Palace in 2011 and 2012, respectively. The residence holds a rich history, combining regal traditions with the personal chapters of the royal family.

Sandringham House

Norfolk, England
Who Gets It: King Charles III

general view of sandringham house

Sandringham House, a Georgian mansion with origins dating back to 1771 when it was constructed by the Hoste Henley family, holds a storied history. This Grade II-listed mansion underwent transformations over the years before being acquired by King Edward VII for his future wife, Princess Alexandra of Denmark. Under King Edward VII’s ownership, the estate saw the construction of the Sandringham House, characterized by a “frenetic Jacobean” style, as described by Pevsner.

Following King Edward VII’s passing, the estate transitioned to his son, George V, who initiated the tradition of broadcasting the royal Christmas message from the house, a beloved holiday custom in Britain. George V passed away at Sandringham House in 1936, and the estate subsequently went to Edward VIII, who also breathed his last there in 1952. Queen Elizabeth II assumed ownership of the estate, and it gained renown as the venue for the royal family’s annual Christmas celebrations.

In 2017, King Charles III assumed management of the estate. The late Prince Philip chose to spend a significant portion of his post-retirement years at Wood Farm on the estate. Additionally, Prince William and Princess Kate have a residence, Anmer Hall, situated on the expansive Sandringham estate. The estate’s rich history and royal connections make it a central hub for both personal retreats and celebrated family gatherings.

 

 

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