British royal residences are palaces, castles, and houses owned by members of the British royal family in the United Kingdom. The current residences are owned by the Crown, the Duchy of Cornwall, and privately by members of the royal family. All official residences are owned by the Crown. Some official residences, such as the Palace of Windsor, are located in Norfolk, England, while others include a sustainable farm in Wales.
There are 23 royal residences scattered across the UK, with some more in the past. Some of the main palaces include Windsor Castle, Highgrove House, and Buckingham Palace. The royal family owns an array of properties across the country, including sprawling private estates, palatial manors, regal mansions, and cozy cottages. Not all of the royal family’s estates are privately owned, as many are managed by organizations such as the Crown Estate and Historic Royal Palaces.
The British Royal Family owns a whopping 20 properties in the UK, including sprawling private estates, palatial manors, regal mansions, and cosy cottages. The King and the Queen consort now have more than a dozen residences to choose from, boasting a total of at least 2, 000 rooms. The cost of the British royal family owns over 150 properties, but they do not live in all of them.
There are about 115 former royal residences, which were owned by members of the royal family in different years. The King has three official residences: Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. Lancaster Castle in Lancashire, which covers several cities, has 13 castles total on the estate.
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| A Look at the 30 Homes Owned by the British Royal Family | From a 50,000-acre estate in Norfolk, England to a miniature Berkshire Wendy house, these are the 30 regal estates that the royal family has … | veranda.com |
| How many houses does the Royal Family have, and why … | The British royal family owns over 150 properties, but they do not live in all of them. Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the Queen … | quora.com |
| Royal residences: how many, how big and who lives where? | The king and the queen consort now have more than a dozen residences to choose from, boasting a total of at least 2,000 rooms. The cost of the … | theguardian.com |
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Living like a royal definitely has its perks, as the British royal family has all kinds of beautiful homes. If they ever get tired of one …
Who Owns Windsor Castle Now?
Windsor Castle is owned by the British crown and currently by King Charles III, who inherited it from his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, following her passing in 2022. Although King Charles is the reigning monarch, Windsor Castle is technically owned "in right of the Crown," meaning it belongs to the monarchy rather than personally to him. Managed by the Royal Household, Windsor Castle is recognized as the largest inhabited castle in the world and has been a royal residence for over 900 years, with its origins dating back to the 11th century during William the Conqueror’s reign.
Windsor Castle was a favored residence of Queen Elizabeth II, reflecting its importance within the royal family. Despite his ownership of the castle, King Charles does not personally reside there. The castle also provides accommodations for approximately 150 people and has been a site of historic significance and royal events.
The Crown Estate governs it, ensuring that ownership passes from one monarch to the next. Windsor Castle's profound history is complemented by its present-day function, including being the site of St George’s Chapel, which contributes to its status as a working palace. Overall, Windsor Castle embodies both the heritage and continued responsibilities of the British monarchy.
How Many Official Residences Does The Royal Family Have?
The King of the United Kingdom resides in three official locations: Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. These grand residences serve as both homes and workplaces for the King as Head of State. The British royal family boasts ownership of seven palaces, 10 castles, 12 mansions, and 56 cottages across the U. K., totaling 26 affiliated properties, including current and former homes. While some of these properties are part of the Crown Estate, others are privately owned by the Royal Family.
Buckingham Palace has been the monarch's official residence since 1837, and it houses 775 rooms including 19 state rooms. In addition to the three official residences, the family has a variety of private homes across the countryside, including Sandringham and Balmoral Castle. The royal family also has access to numerous lesser-known properties, including those owned personally by the King and other family members.
With over 150 properties attributed to them in total, including many not regularly inhabited, the royal residences showcase the extensive legacy and current status of the British monarchy. As such, royal residences span from grand castles to smaller, private estates throughout the United Kingdom.
Which Royal House Is The Richest?
The House of Saud is the wealthiest royal family worldwide, boasting an estimated net worth of over $1. 4 trillion (£1. 1 trillion). This immense fortune is distributed among approximately 15, 000 family members. The family holds the title of the richest royal dynasty, with substantial wealth evaluations based on personal net worth, excluding state-owned properties. Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Salman has been instrumental in overseeing the family's vast resources.
Comparatively, the British royal family, valued at around $88 billion (£69 billion), derives wealth from real estate investments and sovereign grants. Globally, royal families control an estimated $2. 4 trillion, including the Al Nahyans of Abu Dhabi, estimated at $305 billion. In the Asia-Pacific region, Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn ranks as the richest monarch at $43 billion, facing controversies tied to personal scandals and political influence.
Meanwhile, Qatar's House of Thani boasts a notable net worth of $335 billion (£253 billion). Although the wealth of the House of Saud significantly eclipses others, royal families in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia maintain considerable fortunes. The Windsors' wealth, primarily in castles and irreplaceable art, cannot be liquidated for personal use. This disparity highlights the various sources of royal income and the complex dynamics of modern monarchy.
What Homes Does The Royal Family Own?
The British Royal Family boasts an impressive portfolio of approximately 30 properties across the UK, including 20 notable residences spanning palatial manors, sprawling estates, and quaint cottages. Key sites include Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, and Balmoral Castle, renowned for being Queen Elizabeth II's cherished summer retreat. Other significant properties encompass Clarence House, St. James's Palace, and various cottages like Anmer Hall and Frogmore Cottage.
Notably, some of these majestic homes are owned privately, while others are under the jurisdiction of the Crown Estate or Historic Royal Palaces. The royal residences range from opulent city palaces to serene rural estates, reflecting both heritage and contemporary royal lifestyles. King Charles III also has official residences, including Buckingham Palace in London and the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Scotland. For those intrigued by regal living, these exquisite homes showcase the rich history and ongoing traditions of the British monarchy, with various royal family members often calling them home.
Does The Royal Family Own Property In America?
Several properties owned by the British crown are situated in Midtown Manhattan, near the United Nations, including a unit at Dag Hammarskjold Tower (240 East 47th Street), three apartments at International Plaza (303 East 43rd Street), two at 309-321 East 49th Street, and one at the Horizon (415 East 37th Street). While the royal family possesses real estate in America, it's important to distinguish between personal ownership and Crown properties.
The Queen privately owned land in the U. S. and Canada, separate from her role as Sovereign of the UK. The royal family oversees real estate valued over $2 billion, encompassing country estates, townhouses, and city apartments, but Queen Elizabeth II owned no overseas properties at her death. King Charles III has a farm in Romania, while Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reside in the U. S., having exchanged Frogmore Cottage for a $14 million Montecito mansion in 2020.
The royal family's vast portfolio includes iconic residences like Buckingham Palace, alongside extensive holdings in the UK, which are mainly the sovereign's estate but not personally controlled by the monarch. The British royal family is acknowledged as the largest private landowner globally, reflecting their historical significance and connection to British heritage and culture.
How Many Houses Are In The Royal Family?
The British royal family possesses over 150 properties, although they do not reside in all of them. The official residence of the Queen is Buckingham Palace, but she primarily stays at Windsor Castle, which offers more privacy. The family maintains affiliations with 26 properties, 20 of which are located in the UK. These include a mix of private estates, palatial manors, regal mansions, and cozy cottages.
Residing in various royal residences are members of the family, which encompass palaces, castles, and houses, predominantly owned by the Crown and the Duchy of Cornwall, while some are privately held.
Among the notable residences are Buckingham Palace, where public state rooms are used for official functions, and Kensington Palace, home to Prince William and Princess Kate. Balmoral Castle serves as a vacation retreat. The royal family's portfolio includes diverse locations, from large estates to historic homes, amounting to approximately 2, 000 rooms altogether. There are also around 115 former royal residences that were previously occupied by royal family members.
This extensive collection highlights the royal family's rich heritage and varied lifestyle, spanning from city abodes like Clarence House to rural estates, showcasing their historical significance and current residences.
Who Are The 9 Royal Houses Of England?
The royal houses of England and Great Britain can be recalled using initial letters that spell out the mnemonic: Norman, Plantagenet, Lancaster, York, Tudor, Stuart, Hanover, Windsor. The lineage originating from Matilda and Geoffrey is known as both the House of Anjou and the House of Plantagenet. Historians often categorize the kings into two eras: prior to and following the significant loss of their French territories. Monarchs from the House of Windsor, which includes King Charles III and the late Queen, have had a crucial role in shaping British history.
A timeline of British monarchs illustrates a shift from absolute to constitutional rule, marked notably by the Wars of the Roses. From the Anglo-Saxon kings beginning with Alfred the Great in Wessex to the current monarchy, there have been 63 monarchs across approximately 1200 years. Buckingham Palace, established as the official royal residence since 1837, signifies the continuity of royal presence while also highlighting the historical evolution of British royalty. The family tree of these monarchs, spanning different houses, encapsulates the rich narrative of England's regal history.
Who Lives In Buckingham Palace Today?
Buckingham Palace, the official London residence and administrative headquarters of the British monarch since 1837, has been home to numerous royals, including Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. Until 2023, it also served as the London office of the Duke of York. Currently, Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, maintain private apartments for their use when in London. Following the pandemic and the death of Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth transitioned to full-time residence at Windsor Castle, vacating Buckingham Palace annually from July to September.
While Buckingham Palace is not currently occupied due to ongoing renovations, it remains a significant royal location, having hosted a variety of essential state functions. King Charles III inherited the palace after Queen Elizabeth's passing but has opted to continue residing at Clarence House, leading to speculation about future residential arrangements for other royals.
The palace is notable for its size and architectural grandeur, housing various offices, guest rooms, and private apartments. Members of the royal family, such as Princess Anne and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, retain accommodations within the palace but do not reside there full-time. Thus, the current occupants include primarily staff and a select few royals who may use their private quarters intermittently.
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Fun visiting the Buckingham Palace, and the Museum Of Queen’s dresses which she graced for all the worldly functions! Ending up having tea at the garden! Highlight of my London visit in Summer 2017, besides the Burrough Market ! Thanks to my good friend who lives in London! Intend visiting both again’🙏
I feel sorry for the royal family, I don’t envy them in any way, and definitely not jelous of all their palaces and castles and whatever! I don’t have a maid and seriously I don’t want a chef, butler and maid at all! No privacy! A home is supposed to be a happy place, just big enough for a stay at home Mom to keep clean. With a large, beautiful garden. That’s my dream and I’m living it! I really feel sorry for them, they don’t even have a place to call home, in the real sense of the word. I really hope Harry and Megan find a home, a real home. The rest of the royal family will soon be very jelous of them.
I am totally sick, as a Uk citizen, of explaining to outsiders, especially from the USA,and jealous lefty Uk residents that these palaces do NOT belong to the queen. She holds two private residences only which she pays for herself, Balmoral and Sandringham. Both owned directly by herself. Every other castle or palace is owned and managed by the government.. the crown estates give 80% of their annual income directly to,the government. The remainder supports the monarch and direct family, not all the hangers on, and supports things like royal weddings etc. The cost of the royal family to the Uk populace per annum is about £1.50 per head. The tourist income is in The millions. Can you Americans say that Mr Trump brings in the same? I thought not.
Seriously who needs all these castles?!! Most people dream of a decent 3 bedroom home with two bathrooms and double garage and a nice garden with swings and garden furniture and maybe a swimming pool. And a nice view of a wild life reserve. Not some oversized building that could just as well be a hotel!
What do they do with all their money? They never have to spend any! Lol. I was just wondering to myself why the royal ladies carry clutches or purses with them? Like, what could they possibly need to carry with them to engagements? Makeup? Doubtful. Debit card? What for? Just decoration? Who knows! Lol. What it must be like to never have to worry about money…….not just having any, but needing to have it on you for everyday daily life.
Windsor Castle. If historic buildings have grades then this one belongs with just a few worldwide which probably deserve a category all of their own, A List just doesn’t begin to cut it. The place is just absolutely sensational. It just about encapsulates everything the UK and its Monarchy are about.
I’m not from England so I can be more objective. Why would one family need all those castles and mansions? … I can see one large home with many rooms. But I think about the average family home in England. My home is very modest and probably smaller then the average house in America. But it is still better then the houses I have seen of the middle class in England. I do realize that England is an old country so the houses are old also. But they are like the homes here were like in the 50s and 60s … I think they should sale some of their castles and help the people that idolize them. Maybe I just don’t understand royalty. I’m sure that it is something the English are proud of. I have never seen the reasoning for it. It must be that they are considered some type gods. I like president trump but I would never want to be so desperate to see him that I would stand on the streets to see him. I pray for him everyday. I think your royal family is the richest people besides that tiny Arab country Yemen. And the Vatican!
The narrator referenced the Crown Chronicles as her source for stating that the Monet in Clarence House was acquired by Elizabeth I. Soooooo … I moseyed on over to that website, and this is what is stated: “A lover of art, The Queen Mother added greatly to the pieces in the house, including the only French Impressionist piece in the Royal Collection: it is a piece by Monet of the French countryside, but Elizabeth bought it as it reminded her of the rugged Scottish Highlands.” Whoever actually wrote this piece must have been rushed, and only scanned the paragraph – focusing on “Monet” and “Elizabeth.” And that’s giving him/her the benefit of the doubt. 🙄
It amazes me that Kate, William, and son George get a renovation worth 7.6 million and there’s a lovely article posted about it. Prince Harry and Duchess Megan get a renovation not even worth half that and there is all this hatred and slander published about them. Racism? Of course. No wonder they threw up the deuces✌️
I think the MONET painting was from Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, not Queen Elizabeth the First as claimed in the accompanying soundtrack. Claude Monet was not even alive during the reign of Queen Elizabeth the first who was born 1533 and died 1603, Monet was born in 1840 so there’s no way Queen Elizabeth the first would have a Monet!
Everyone will hate this. I think, my asking a PM by email about five years ago to give me a certificate of Royalty and Nobility opened the Royal Family’s hearts to being receptive to a minority member’s joining the Royalty. I based the request on the fact that Lord Abernathy’s kids became kings and queens all over Europe and that I carry the Abernathy name and my record of personal growth.
Just for the sake of history and tradition, I think having a King and Queen is ok but I also think it should just be for show. The royal family shouldn’t own historical properties, nor make revenue from any of them. I don’t think they should have any say in the country’s dealings either. Monarchies are a practice for and from the past.
My thoughts.. how many of the poor could some of that decadence could feed.. my brother in Britain lost much of his wage to tax, then waited on list too long for medical care, thus died of cancer, that could have been worked on because was in early stages of prostate cancer, but they kept making him wait and wait and wait, then too late….America, do you really want that kind of health care???!!!
The principal pre-modern royal art collectors were Charles the First and George the Third neither of whom was a contemporary of Monet! That would have been Queen Victoria (b. 1819, r. 1837-1901) an amateur painter herself, as was Prince Albert, who may have added one or two Impressionists to the gallery.
Ten second in and already the first error. The crown does not own “most” historic property in the U.K.! It owns a tiny fraction. It May own SOME of the most recognisable, but it certainly doesn’t own most! The UK has thousands, if not tens of thousands of large, historic houses, castles etc. Suggesting the crown owns most of them is idiotic.
5:40 – Did I hear that wrong? Elizabeth I (born 7 September 1533 and died 24 March 1603) did NOT own an original Monet (November 14, 1840 – died December 5, 1926). Monet was born circa 237 years AFTER Elizabeth I died! 😳 Unless one or both of them were time travelers, it would have been impossible or Queen Elizabeth I to have owned an original Monet. Yikes, People! You can’t trust anything these days! LOL! 🤣
FYI: The Crown Chronicles on You Tube, Clarence House narrator, claims an “Original Monet, from Queen Elizabeth the First, is still on display”, according to The Crown Chronicles… Hmm, this seems unlikely since Queen Elizabeth the First was born 1533 to King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn and Claude Monet was born 1840 and died 1926. She must mean Queen Elizabeth II. I can see her liking Impressionist Monet! Wikipedia says Queen Elizabeth II owns at least one Monet!
Castle hopping royals? It was Henry VI (his later years) thru Henry VII to young Henry VIII who delighted in living from castle to castle. It was an easy way to spread out the enormous cost of maintaining a royal court. But the very first King of England of coarse was King William I in 1066 who was a traveling monarch.
My husband agrees that such a family should own fabulous amounts of land,having bequethed them by we the under class. The numerous kinfolk on the “Civil List” also deserve to live in the lap of luxury at our tax pounds. After all they all work “So hard.” And they are all so poorly educated. They are a lesson and inspiration to us all,
I don’t understand why some people in this world have everything and some others do not have even some food to eat….why are these people kings and Prince and princess while some others may die in the streets hungry and helpless….what a shame….at least when we die we are all equal….proving that our God Christ, is justice.
Although it all looks very royally they work the same as we, at home, it’s just hard to work to groups of people. It’s all work. It’s a jibe. A bit easier than keeping your own house sharp and clean. I personally love the way it’s decorated. It’s different and elegant. Before the war, my grandfather had a great home, with swimming pool, when nobody had one. We had maids, that now you can’t say the word maid. We are far away from the house we occupies. The war did that. Queen Elisabeth made sure that there is no war in England. Women reign a different way, altogether; I assume. And just keeping that country together without a lot of strange men who have money but no idea how to reign, is so weird. I’m ashame we have a president who just called himself to rule, he’s a laughing stock. We emigrated in 1960 to the USA and America is just not something I would like to stay. It’s just that my sons were brought up here and have a family. But my regret has always been to come with my husband to the States. I didn’t want to but my parents said. “You married and have to follow your husband.” But my vacations were always spent in Holland. It’s so nice, no crime, no idiotic ruler who just thinks he does okay. The people, who reign in Holland are studied and speak a language you understand because they have studied to reign and are not what we have now. The one who is president now is not the people’s choice. And this is dangerous. What does his wife do? who will be the next one? Does she have an education like, for example, like Michelle Obama.
Queen Elizabeth 1 owned a Monet? I seriously doubt that, . Born: November 14, 1840, Rue Laffitte, Paris, France Died: December 5, 1926, Giverny, France Periods: Impressionism, Modern art, Realism Spouse: Alice Hoschedé (m. 1892–1911), Camille Doncieux (m. 1870–1879) Children: Michel Monet, Jean Monet Siblings: Leon Pascal Monet Parents: Louise Justine Aubrée Monet, Claude Adolphe Monet
Quick and Dirty? A ruling class was important hundreds of years ago when the UK was in it’s infancy. The world was both much bigger AND much smaller and the UK, like other emerging civilized countries, needed to protect it’s boundaries and emerging culture (commerce, trade, safety, etc). To ensure their “common vision” would have a chance at success and to ensure “the word got out” a smaller partisan took control. Who knows? The first “king” may have become ruler after winning a triathlon of arm wrestling, arrow shooting and a lance battle competition. However they were chosen, these “kings ” (and some queens) actually fought and led their soldiers. A thousand years later? They sit back on their lily white talcum powdered arses farting into expensive trousers and dresses. Instead of leading the charge they huddle behind expensive security, cut a ribbon or two, give a small, banal speech, lie, lie, lie and have turned into a bloated and self serving “ruling class”. They hold the “common people” in thrall and have zero intention of letting you take away their “Birthright”. They will not accept the pure fact that they are NOT essential to THIS world, THIS time. I wish I could invent a time machine that would send them all back 1,000 years so they could PROVE their worth…they’d last all of a day as would any of us. We live in a work-a-day world and so should they. Good at cutting ribbons? Become a seamstress. Good at yachting? Become a fisherwoman/ man. Good at speeches? Become a teacher etc.
Hi. I’ve been lucky and have visited England several times with my Mom. I’ve seen Buckingham Palace, I’ve Toured Windsor Castle, Hampton Court Palace and the Tower of London. Windsor Castle was beautiful so was Hampton Court. But the Tower of London was kinda creepy, with all the deaths that occurred there. They are all well worth visiting if you go there. So much History there it’s amazing experience to go there. 😃👍🇨🇦
I think it’s a slap in humanity face. Those days should have ended when the rest Of the royals of Europe came to an end. I don’t believe in their opulent ways. This is a time of great change so many people do without and theses sorry excuse for humans believe that they are entitled to all this wast of money that Could do so much good all over the world. That’s why Dianna was so hated because she posed a threat to their lifestyle. I also think that William will change all that pomp. He too will be a king for the people and not for himself, he will be more giving to his people and he will try his best to be like his mother.
People giving the announcer a hard time for her pronunciation should please give her a break. If I weren’t British and lived in Britain I would definitely not pronounce certain words the way we do. I would pronounce them differently e.g: Leicester Square; Worcester Sauce; Wimbledon; Yorkshire: Suffolk etc