King Charles III, who recently ascended to the throne following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and will have his official coronation on May 6, has taken possession of an impressive collection of royal residences and palaces.Â
According to House & Garden, his new property portfolio includes at least seven palaces, 10 castles, 12 homes, 56 cottages and 14 ancient ruins.
On top of The Crown Estate, he also took ownership of the Queen’s private estates, such as Balmoral Castle in Scotland and Sandringham in Norfolk, which houses the renowned Royal Stud.
While he can now call Buckingham Palace home, he has always had a preference for the countryside, with his rural retreats including the Scottish estate of Birkhall, the Welsh farmhouse Llwynywermod and his primary family residence, Highgrove House in Gloucestershire.
Here are some of his most famous properties.
Highgrove House, Gloucestershire
Highgrove House has been owned by King Charles since 1980 and it’s where he used to spend weekends with his late first wife, Princess Diana, and their sons, princes William and Harry.Â
Presently, Charles enjoys taking care of the property’s extensive gardens.
Clarence House, London
Since getting married in 2005, King Charles and Camilla have primarily called Clarence House in London their home. Built between 1825 and 1827, this residence was once home to Charles’s grandmother, the late Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.
The home was extensively renovated, featuring new artwork, textiles and a refreshed colour palette.
Llwynywermod, Wales
King Charles’s first Welsh home, is a structure traditionally made from existing and locally sourced materials and includes an ecologically sound heating system, and elegant interiors that harmonise perfectly with the architecture.
Architect Craig Hamilton transformed the property into what now comprises three cottages and a grade II-listed threshing barn as well as the main house.
Restormel Manor, Cornwall
Restormel Manor in Cornwall is a charming sixteenth-century house featuring cosy interiors by Annabel Elliot, and is central to a community revitalisation project and houses a plant nursery. When not occupied by the royal couple, it is available for rent as part of the Duchy Estate.
The versatile nine-bedroom manor accommodates 18 guests and consists of three distinct wings, each with its own kitchen and entrance.
Balmoral Castle, Scotland
Balmoral Castle was built by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Although a private property, Balmoral frequently welcomes visitors from April throughout the summer months and was where Queen Elizabeth passed away.
Tower of London
The Tower of London, one of the city’s most historic landmarks and was established in 1066 by William the Conqueror. Presently, the castle houses the Crown Jewels, Yeoman Warders (or ‘Beefeaters’), and six resident ravens, whose departure, legend has it, would cause the kingdom and the Tower to fall.
Buckingham Palace, London
Originally a townhouse built in 1703, Buckingham Palace was acquired by King George III for Queen Charlotte in 1761 and designated as the official London residence of the royal family upon Queen Victoria’s ascension in 1837. Architects John Nash and Edward Blore expanded the palace in the 19th century, while the iconic façade was redesigned in the early 20th century.
Windsor Castle
As the world’s oldest and largest occupied castle, Windsor Castle has served as the family home for British monarchs for nearly a millennium. Founded by William the Conqueror around 1070, the castle took 16 years to complete.
