Windsor Castle, one of the oldest royal residences, is gearing up for some significant changes as it’s set to become the main venue for State Visits, at least temporarily. This transition occurs due to the extensive £369 million refurbishment of Buckingham Palace, which has been described as one of the largest upheavals the iconic royal residence has undergone.
According to The Times, this adjustment means Windsor Castle will host incoming State Visits starting from December 2024. The Amir of Qatar will be the last dignitary welcomed to Buckingham Palace before this shift takes effect. His official visit to London will begin with the Prince and Princess of Wales escorting him to the ceremonial welcome, which will be presided over by King Charles and Queen Camilla.
This change doesn’t only affect State Visits but also brings new dynamics for King Charles himself, who has relocated his office and meeting spaces to the Belgian Suite of the palace. This suite is located on the ground floor of the west-facing Garden Wing and is historically significant as it includes the Orleans Room, where King Charles was born back in 1948.
Taxpayers will be covering part of the palace's extensive renovation costs, but King Charles has taken it upon himself to personally fund the redecoration of his private quarters located within the north wing. This personal touch means these areas may not see completion until 2027, which seems like quite the wait. Meanwhile, it's unclear whether the King and Queen Camilla will make Buckingham Palace their permanent residence again after the renovations. For now, they remain settled at their longtime home, Clarence House. Previously, officials hinted at the couple's return post-renovation, but recent royal sources have indicated they've been preparing the King's private spaces for “potential residential occupation” only.
Notably, the building work will take temporary breaks during the summer months to allow the public to tour the State Rooms of Buckingham Palace. This annual event has become quite popular, and last summer saw record attendance with over 605,190 visitors exploring the palace’s famous attractions, the highest turnout since the tours began back in 1993.
Set against the backdrop of this grand restoration project, Buckingham Palace has stood as the primary residence of the British monarch since 1837 and remains steeped in history. Once the Amir's visit concludes, State Visits will exclusively occur at Windsor Castle until late 2027, marking the first time this royal venue has been at the forefront of such important engagements since hosting the Irish President Michael D. Higgins back in 2014.
While smaller receptions might still occur at Buckingham Palace during this transition, including access to the Picture Gallery and other State Rooms during specific periods, their closing will prompt all formal gatherings to shift to either St James’s Palace or Windsor Castle until the palace fully reopens its doors sometime in 2027. With this swap between two iconic royal residences, the evolution of royal traditions continues to be closely monitored by those fascinated with the monarchy.
With its rich history and grand architecture, Buckingham Palace remains synonymous with royal authority and heritage. The extensive renovations, including the newly planned reception areas, are set to bring both modern comforts and timeless elegance to the working palace, ensuring it remains ready for future generations of dignitaries and royals alike. What will this mean for the future of royal hospitality and the way the British monarchy operates? Only time will tell, but one thing's for sure: as the renovations progress, all eyes will be on the changes coming to these historic landmarks.
