King Charles and Queen Camilla’s residence, Clarence House, holds more than two centuries of royal history but few know the surprising role it played during wartime Britain.
Built between 1825 and 1827 by architect John Nash, the man behind Buckingham Palace, the grand London townhouse was originally commissioned for King George III’s son, the future King William IV.
Over the years, it has housed many royals, most famously Queen Elizabeth II and her mother, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.
But just before the late Queen Elizabeth moved in, Clarence House temporarily served a very different purpose. Following the death of the Duke of Connaught in 1942, the residence was handed over to the War Organisation of the British Red Cross and the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.
Together, known as the “Joint War Organisation,” they used the stately home to coordinate critical efforts during World War II, a unique chapter in the history of what is now the beloved home of the monarch and his Queen Consort.
The JWO transformed Clarence House from a royal residence into a wartime headquarters during World War II.
A combined operation between the British Red Cross and the Order of St. John, the JWO oversaw care homes, hospitals, nurseries, and ambulance units, providing vital protection and support to volunteers and staff working under the Red Cross banner.
Clarence House also became the nerve centre for one of the war’s most important humanitarian lifelines Red Cross parcels.
These packages filled with food, medical supplies, and even educational books were sent to prisoners of war across Europe, offering comfort, sustenance, and hope during a time of immense hardship.
Once the war ended and the JWO was disbanded, Clarence House returned to its royal roots.
After her 1947 marriage to Prince Philip, Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II) made the residence her home.
Though it underwent modern updates with improved electricity, heating, and water systems, the renovations remained modest, reflecting the financial austerity Britain continued to face in the post-war years.