Top 10 British royal residences ranked - and Buckingham Palace doesn't take top spot
Royal residences are not just symbols of the British monarchy but architectural marvels and cultural landmarks that tell a unique story - we share our top 10.
From wondrous London palaces to peaceful countryside retreats, each royal residence tells a unique story about the Royal Family and are witnesses to centuries of royal history.
Royal residences are not just symbols of Britain's monarchy but they are architectural marvels and cultural landmarks and consequently attract visitors from all over the world.
Each residence, from Buckingham Palace in Londonto Holyrood House in Scotland offers a unique insight into the monarchy’s traditions, heritage, and way of life.
King Charles and other members of the Royal Family use their residences to conduct official work, such as meetings, audiences, and hosting events, and they are also the setting for many different ceremonies and traditions, including the King's official birthday - Trooping the Colour.
Below are ten of the most notable royal residences in Britain and ranked by Express.co.uk. What do you think is the number one royal residence in Britain? Give us your recommendations in the comments below.
A stone's throw away from the iconic Buckingham Palace, St James's Palace is located in the City of Westminster. Historically, Kings and Queens of England resided in this beautiful London home for over 300 years until the reign of Queen Victoria. In recent years, the palace has been known to house some of the Royal Family. Prince William resided there from 2003 to 2011 with Prince Harry and his father, before his marriage to Kate.
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Clarence House is a historic royal residence located adjacent to St. James’s Palace in London. Built in the 1820s, by architect John Nash, it was home to the Queen Mother for nearly five decades, and today, it is the residence of King Charles and Queen Camilla. When in the capital the King and Queen Camilla stay at the house just a stone's throw from Buckingham Palace, which has been undergoing extensive renovations.
According to the Royal Collection Trust, Charles and Camilla did not change too much when they moved in, as the layout and decoration are "much as they were in The Queen Mother’s time, with important works from Her Majesty’s collection of art in their original positions".
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The Palace of Holyroodhouse is the official residence of the Monarchy in Scotland. It was first founded as a monastery in 1128 at the end of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. Today, the Palace is a close focus for national celebrations and events in Scotland, most notably the Monarch's ‘Holyrood Week’, which usually runs from the end of June to the beginning of July every year. During this week, His Majesty attends several engagements to celebrate Scottish culture, history and achievements.
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Located in the heart of London’s Kensington Gardens, Kensington Palace has been a royal residence since the 17th century. It has housed monarchs like Queen Victoria, who was born and raised there, and home to modern members of the Royal Family including the Prince and Princess of Wales. First constructed in 1605 by Sir George Coppin as a two-storey mansion, Kensington Palace was transformed when Queen Mary and William III bought the building in 1689 and turned it into a massive palace with a current value of £465 million. William and Kate first moved into Kensington Palace grounds after their marriage in 2021 and had previously lived in Nottingham Cottage.
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The private country home of Charles and Camilla, Highgrove sits in the idyllic Cotswolds region, renowned for its honeypot villages and picturesque rural setting. The neoclassical Georgian house is a private home, so you can’t step inside, but you can visit the gardens. Since 1980, when His Majesty first arrived at Highgrove, he has devoted much energy to transforming the gardens around the house, which are renowned as some of the most inspiring and innovative in the UK.
(Image: Getty)