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The Monarch’s lavish lodgings at Buckingham Palace are expected to be reduced to little more than an “apartment above the store” when Prince Charles becomes king.
The plan is part of a sweeping campaign to renovate the sprawling royal estate, which will involve London’s official residence being open to the public more than ever.
Other changes being considered as part of Charles’ sweeping plans include turning Balmoral into a museum for the Queen and moving the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to Windsor Castle, according to The Mail on Sunday.
Charles is said to not want the Berkshire Residence for himself as its position below Heathrow’s flight path makes it “too noisy”.
The monarch’s living quarters at Buckingham Palace are set to be reduced to little more than an ‘apartment above the store’ when Prince Charles (pictured with Camilla in Scotland) becomes king
The plan is part of a sweeping campaign to renovate the sprawling royal estate, which will mean the official London residence (pictured) is more open to the public than ever before
The Prince of Wales plans to reduce the monarchy significantly once he takes the throne – and a friend confirmed: “The issue of property is on the to-do list.”
He has met with courtiers to discuss what happens to palaces when the direct line of accession is reduced to himself and Camilla, as well as the Cambridges.
The source said: “The central point is this: when the queen is no longer there, how do you effectively distribute two generations of the family over a large enough number of properties?”
“The Prince of Wales strongly believes that these places have to offer something to the public beyond just being a place to live for members of the Royal Family. Everything is seen through the prism of the question: “What is the value of this offer to the public?”
“Everyone agrees that it makes no sense to run so many residences, but if you abandon them altogether you will never get them back when Prince George and the younger Royals grow up and need a place to live.”
Charles faces a daunting diplomatic task to persuade his family of the changes.
Other changes being considered as part of Charles’ sweeping plans include moving the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to Windsor Castle (pictured), according to The Mail on Sunday
He discussed what happens to palaces when the accession hotline is reduced to himself and Camilla and the Cambridges. Pictured: An airliner flies over Windsor Castle
Charles also plans to turn Balmoral Castle (pictured), the Scottish holiday home of the Royal Family, into the Queen’s Museum
Prince Charles has said he will not move to Windsor Castle as King due to Heathrow’s noisy flight path. Pictured: A British Airways Airbus A380 airliner flies over the castle
A Singapore Airlines Boeing 777 flies over the famous steeple of Windsor Castle in Berkshire
The Duke of York is said to be particularly worried about his home, Park Lodge in Windsor Great Park. However, courtiers say there is no suggestion that he will be asked to relocate.
Prince Edward and Princess Anne are also reportedly safe in Bagshot Park in Windsor and Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire respectively.
QUEEN REMEMBERS PHILIP ON A JOURNEY TO SCOTLAND
The Queen made her first public comments on her late husband yesterday, recalling “the many happy memories” of their time together in Scotland.
The Queen made her first public comments on her late husband yesterday, recalling ‘the many happy memories’ of their time together in Scotland
At the opening of the Scottish Parliament – accompanied by the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay, as Charles and Camilla are known in Scotland – she said: “I have already spoken of my deep and lasting affection for this wonderful country and the many happy memories Prince Philip and I have always held our time here. It is often said that people make a place, and there are few places where this is truer than in Scotland. ‘
As a sign of the gentle diplomacy that symbolized her nearly 70-year reign, she wore a Queen Mary diamond thistle brooch – the national emblem of Scotland.
As a sign of the gentle diplomacy that symbolized her nearly 70-year reign, the Queen wore a Queen Mary diamond thistle brooch during a visit to Scotland
But others – including Andrew’s daughters Beatrice and Eugenie – will fight over housing during the reshuffle.
Buckingham Palace, which is undergoing a £ 369million renovation over ten years, is expected to be open on a much larger scale, with year-round public access instead of the usual seasonal admission .
Meanwhile, the monarch’s living quarters – which currently include 52 royal and guest rooms and 188 staff rooms – will be drastically reduced.
A friend of Charles said: “Despite what everyone thinks he doesn’t want to live there, there will definitely be accommodation – but it will be a much more modest situation above the store, similar to that from the Prime Minister in Downing Street.
“The Prince and Duchess of Cornwall are both very practical and see that the reigning monarch must live at Buckingham Palace, otherwise it would become like Hampton Court” – an attraction for visitors rather than a working royal palace.
The friend added that the Cambridges are likely to move to Windsor – a relocation the family would welcome.
“Charles doesn’t like Windsor because it’s quite loud,” the source added: “His point is that if he goes to Windsor he might as well continue to Highgrove in Gloucestershire.”
Charles should keep his beloved Highgrove as his family home. It belongs to the Duchy of Cornwall, which William will inherit when Charles becomes king. Then William will be his father’s landlord, taking £ 700,000 in rent a year.
In London, Charles’ official residence at Clarence House was originally reserved for Harry, but his move to California means that is “no longer on the cards.”
It’s now more likely to be kept for Prince George, Princess Charlotte, or Prince Louis, although its outdated decor is a junk to young Royals.
A source said: “No one likes Clarence House very much as it is still considered the home of the Queen Mother.”
Charles intends to keep another property from his grandmother – Birkhall in Scotland, which he inherited upon her death in 2002 and one of the few places he would feel at home.
It is part of the Balmoral Estate, the Queen’s favorite residence. The grounds and gardens of Balmoral are closed to the public in the summer when she is in residence, but under Charles access is expected to be much greater.
A source said: “There is talk of opening a museum paying homage to the Queen.”
Even Sandringham in Norfolk, which is owned by the Royal Family, could be open to the public when Charles inherits it.
Wood Farm, the cottage on the land where Prince Philip spent his later years, may be on the back burner for generations to come.
The Cambridges appear poised to keep Anmer Hall, the nearby mansion the Queen gifted them after their marriage in 2011 and will also inherit Llwynywermod, the Welsh home of the Prince of Wales.
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