Buckingham Palace opens to public after King Charles gives up residence

Buckingham Palace is open for self-guided visits until 9 September 2026, according to an accouchement made by the Royal Collection Trust.

A video made in the Green Drawing Room was also posted on Instagram, explaining where it takes its name.

“The Green Drawing Room in Buckingham Palace takes its name from the green and gold silk wall coverings installed at the request of Queen Adelaide, wife of William IV,” the caption read.

The announcement comes over a month after royal officials said King Charles will not live at Buckingham Palace after its 10-year refurbishment finishes next year.

The decision ends nearly two centuries of the London landmark serving as the British monarch’s primary residence.

Writing for Hola on how the king’s Buckingham Palace decision may change the monarchy, Daniel Neira wrote, it represents one of the most significant changes to royal living arrangements in generations and signals a new chapter for the monarchy.

One of the biggest reasons behind the decision is public access.

“Without a resident monarch occupying the private apartments, officials plan to expand opportunities for visitors to explore more areas of Buckingham Palace throughout the year instead of limiting access primarily to the summer opening,” read the article.

William’s reluctance to make it his home raises the possibility that the iconic building could remain exclusively a ceremonial and administrative center for future generations rather than a family residence.

Charles' decision not to live at Buckingham Palace and remain at Clarence House, his longstanding London home nearby, comes ahead of the completion next year of a £369 million ($487 million) refurbishment to replace ageing electrical wiring, pipes and heating systems.

When work started in 2017, officials had expected the palace to remain the monarch's primary London residence, as it had been since Queen ⁠Victoria became sovereign in 1837.

Neither Charles nor the late Queen Elizabeth had stayed overnight at the palace since 2019. The king will maintain private rooms there that could be used as accommodation.

Some 700,000 people visit the building every year, and public access will be increased, Chalmers said, without providing details.