Buckingham Palace will be closed until 2027 for renovations costing $464 million to modernize the royal residence.

King Charles III will personally finance the renovation of his private quarters in the northern wing. However, the majority of the expenses will be covered by taxpayers.

https://focus.ua/world/680700-bukingemskiy-dvorec-zakryvayut-vo-skolko-oboydetsya-remont2024-11-27 07:47:52

For the next three years, Buckingham Palace will not host any state visits. Following the scheduled reception of the Emir of Qatar next month, all state events will be moved to Windsor Castle. The residence of the British monarch will undergo renovations until 2027. This was reported by The Times.

Most of the rooms in Buckingham Palace will be closed. The modernization will cost £369 million ($464 million), with the majority funded by the state treasury, except for the upgrades to the north wing, which the monarch will cover personally.

During the renovations, electrical wiring, heating systems, and plumbing that have not been updated since the 1950s will be replaced, as they pose fire and flooding risks.

The 76-year-old monarch has temporarily relocated his office, meeting rooms, and private dining area to the Belgian wing of the palace. One of the rooms he is using is the Orleans Room—the place where the king was born on November 14, 1948. Close sources to the king indicate that this decision is symbolic and reflects his deep respect for history.

Although Buckingham Palace will continue to serve as the "headquarters of the monarchy," Charles III remains committed to the idea of openness in royal residences. During the summer months, while renovation work pauses, the palace will remain open to visitors, offering extended tours. This year, the summer season attracted a record 605,000 visitors.

King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla are currently residing at Clarence House, where they feel comfortable. While Buckingham Palace officially remains the monarch's residence, the king, according to sources, does not consider it suitable for modern family life.

Before Charles's reign, Buckingham Palace had been the official London residence of British sovereigns since 1837. It served as the primary residence of the late Queen Elizabeth II throughout her reign until March 2020, when she moved to Windsor Castle due to the coronavirus quarantine.

As a reminder, Kate Middleton missed the annual reception for the diplomatic corps at Buckingham Palace.

The coronation of King Charles cost the United Kingdom approximately $90.2 million.