Inside King Charles’ 30 palaces, castles and mansions from Norfolk to Transylvania as he weighs up where to live
KING Charles has 30 palaces, castles and mansions from Norfolk to Transylvania which he is weighing up as he decides where to live during his reign.
Just one week after his coronation, Charles now has the task of choosing one of his many royal properties to reside in.
The new King has his pick of the bunch and could live anywhere, with some estates not even being UK-based.
However, choosing to relocate could see him overstretched alongside his new role and duties, claims a Royal source.
And it’s looking likely Buckingham Palace as the main home could be out of the question as Charles prefers Clarence House.
The properties are either owned privately – such as Sandringham and Balmoral – or owned by the Crown or the Duchy of Cornwall.
Below are just some of the properties available.
Buckingham Palace
Whilst it’s the most famous residence around the world, royal biographers suggest the King is reluctant to use Buckingham Palace as his main home.
It’s understood Charles will use the current multi-million pound palace refurbishment to live somewhere else.
Not due to be completed until 2027, Charles might live in Clarence House for the foreseeable.
Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine and author of multiple royal biographies, said royal staff are currently split between the Palace and Clarence House.
She said the Palace is not for Charles adding: “Maybe in the end he will have to move into Buckingham Palace, but I don’t think he wants to.
“Buckingham Palace is so huge and impersonal and red, with red carpets and curtains. It’s not his style.
“He may decide that it should be available to the public all year round.”
Clarence House
Clarence House is much smaller and more personal.
Hugo Vickers, a royal historian and author, said Charles would run his office out of Buckingham Palace and use it for state occasions – but that’s it.
Mr Vickers claimed the King has no yearning to live there, just like the late Queen didn’t,
He said: “I think you’ll find that he’ll stay at Clarence House, which even [Queen Elizabeth] wanted to do, but Winston Churchill made her go to Buckingham Palace.”
Balmoral
There are two properties in Balmoral which Charles could choose to live in as he carries out his reign.
There is Birkhall at Balmoral Estate and Balmoral Castle.
According to the Sunday Times, a royal source with knowledge of royal residences in Scotland said Charles preferred Birkhall rather than the Castle.
Birkhall is a smaller affair with only eight bedrooms whereas the Castle has 52.
The source said. “He absolutely loves Birkhall. I would be amazed if he abandoned that.
“I think it’s far more likely that he will stay at Balmoral when there are prime ministerial visits but treat it like an office, as he does with Buckingham Palace.”
Fort Belvedere
Fort Belvedere, Windsor, is a Grade II listed building built with a gothic style.
Whilst owned by the Royal Family, it is rented out privately.
It has been owned by the same family since the 1980s so isn’t likely to become Charles’ main home.
Zalan Castle
Zalan Castle in Transylvania is owned by the King, who reportedly has links to the price who inspired the Dracula story.
Also known as the Zalan Guesthouse, the property is now a holiday let visited by tourists each year.
Proceeds of any bookings then go to The Prince of Wales Foundation in Romania.
Castle of Mey
Castle of Mey on the north coast of Scotland is owned by one of the charity trusts the King is president of.
Charles spends much of his summer months at the Scottish castle which is open to the public when he’s not staying there.
This year, it is closed between July 29 and August 9 which reveals when the King is planning on visiting.