Queen Camilla Pushes for a Historic Change at Buckingham Palace Amid Its 10-Year Renovation
King Charles and Queen Camilla are currently residing in Clarence House, as Buckingham Palace continues to undergo extensive renovations. The 10-year modernization project, set to finish in 2027, aims to secure the Palace’s functionality and safety for the next 50 years. Amid the ongoing repair, it is speculated that Camilla hopes to bring about a major change at the historic residence, one unlike any before — add a library.
The Queen Consort has long been a champion of literacy, and if her plans succeed, Buckingham Palace would make history by having a reading room for the first time since 1823. The Palace has been without one ever since King George IV donated the King’s Library to the British Museum in 1832, ahead of major redesigns to the property. The Scottish Daily Mail reported that Camilla allegedly voiced her concerns about Buckingham remaining the only royal residence without a library. A source said, "The Queen is simply looking to see if it might be at all possible, as rebuilding a Buckingham Palace library would be a wonderful idea."
As reported by InStyle, outside of the offices of the late Prince Philip, books are sparse, and the Queen Consort is looking to change that. According to a press statement, Buckingham Palace is getting a 'complete overhaul' and 'modernization.' Meanwhile, Clarence House was constructed in the early 19th century, and was home to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, and the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip after their marriage in 1947.
As Buckingham undergoes renovations, Charles and Camilla's move to Clarence House, located down the road from the Palace, sparked 'a royal revolution' as it broke a 200-year-old tradition. According to the Scottish Daily Express, royal custom dictates that the monarch should live in Buckingham Palace. In a Channel 5 documentary, Royal Residences: A Map of Britain, the narrator explained, "Even though it's been the London residence of every monarch since Queen Victoria, Charles and Camilla haven't moved in, preferring, for now, to be in Clarence House just down the road."
As per the royal family's official website, the Palace’s electrical cabling, plumbing, and heating have not been updated since the 1950s. The website also notes that the building’s infrastructure is in urgent need of a complete overhaul to prevent long-term damage to its contents. The programme is expected to deliver long-term financial and environmental benefits, as well as enhanced visitor access. The renovations are currently being funded through a temporary uplift of the Sovereign Grant, as recommended by the Royal Trustees and approved by Parliament. And as for the library, it comes as no surprise, as, like Camilla, Charles is also an avid reader with a deep appreciation for powerful writing. The monarch has authored books on gardening, architecture, and the environment, and even penned the cherished children’s tale The Old Man of Lochnagar.