Queen Elizabeth II has decided not to return to Buckingham Palace from Windsor Castle, where she has lived for nearly 70 years. The Sunday Times reported that the Queen will “never again” reside at Buckingham Palace; and has decided to make Windsor Castle her “forever home.”
Before the pandemic, Windsor Castle was primarily the queen’s ‘weekend’ residence; with the monarch returning to London on Monday to Friday to attend engagements at Buckingham Palace. The queen hasn’t stayed at the palace since March 2020, according to reports. The decision was made in part because the palace is currently undergoing 10-year, £369 million renovations.
“The reservicing does not end until 2027,” a royal source told the newspaper. “While ongoing, it is not a place to stay long-term.”
Prince Charles intends to live in Buckingham Palace
Windsor Castle, which has belonged to the royal family since the 12th century, is closer to many of the queen’s children and grandchildren. Queen Elizabeth has already had her first guest at Windsor Castle: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau; marking her first in-person engagement since contracting COVID-19 in February. The Daily Mail reported in February that Prince Charles intends to live in Buckingham Palace when he becomes king, despite his preference for Clarence House, his longtime London house.
“There is no question about it,” a source told the tabloid. “HRH’s view is that you need a monarch at monarchy HQ. This has never been in doubt.” Another source added that he will not move into the palace which has been used as the headquarters of the monarchy since Queen Victoria’s death in 1837 until he is king.
The palace renovations began in 2017, following a report by the UK Treasury indicating that the structure was in danger of collapsing. The renovation includes overhauls of plumbing, heating, and electrical systems. However, there has been no change since the 1950s. Queen Elizabeth II will attend her first meeting away from the castle in 5 months. The Queen’s next planned engagement is the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey in London on March 14.
