The Queen Makes One Pandemic-Induced Lifestyle Change Permanent

For most of her reign, Queen Elizabeth has spent her weekends at Windsor Castle, even though Buckingham Palace was her official residence. When pandemic lockdowns began in March 2020, however, she moved to Windsor full-time, to conserve staff resources. Soon, Prince Philip joined her there after a few years spent living in Sandringham, and the couple spent their last year eating dinner together every night.

Now, after two years on the family’s Berkshire estate Windsor Great Park, the queen has decided to remain at Windsor Castle permanently and will no longer use Buckingham Palace as a full-time residence, the Times reports. The decision was due in part to the fact that the palace is in the middle of a 10-year, £369 million renovation. “The reservicing does not end until 2027,” a royal source told the newspaper. “While ongoing, it is not really a place to stay long-term.” 

Windsor Castle, which has belonged to the royal family since the 12th century, is closer to many of the queen’s children and grandchildren. Prince Andrew lives in Royal Lodge, a mansion in Windsor Great Park, and Prince Edward lives with his family in Bagshot Park, a nearby house. Princess Eugenie lives in Frogmore Cottage, a five-bedroom house a short walk away from the castle which is owned by Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. Last year, the Mail on Sunday reported that Kate Middleton and Prince William had begun looking for a new country home that would allow them to be closer to the queen’s homebase in Windsor, though they would keep their Kensington Palace apartment. In February, they reportedly made plans to send Prince George to a nearby prep school.

In February, the Daily Mail reported that Prince Charles is planning to move into Buckingham Palace when he becomes king, even though he prefers Clarence House, his longtime London residence. “There is no question about it,” a source told the tabloid. “HRH's view is that you need a monarch at monarchy HQ. This has never been in doubt.” Another source added that he will not move into the palace—which has been used as the headquarters of the monarchy since Queen Victoria’s accession in 1837—until he is king.

The palace renovation began in 2017, after a U.K. Treasury report indicated that the building was in danger of facing a catastrophic failure. The renovation includes overhauls of the plumbing, heating, and electrical systems, which have not been updated since the 1950s. In 2020, the Royal Family YouTube channel posted videos of the wallpaper preservation taking place across the 775-room mansion so these systems could be replaced.

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