A look inside King Charles and Camilla's home at Clarence House

It's not every day you get to see where royalty lives.

Sep 21, 2022 7:30am
In 2019, for King Charles' 70th birthday, Clarence House did something unprecedented. They permanently opened up the home he shares with wife Camilla Parker Bowles to the public. Not literally - but virtually.
Thanks to the help of Google technology, you can take a 3D virtual tour of the palace.
King Charles and Camilla have lived in Clarence House since 2003. Before that, it was home to The Queen Mother who lived there for 50 years. And before The Queen Mother, Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip called it home between 1949 and 1952. Charles spent the first part of his childhood there, before the family moved into Buckingham Palace when Elizabeth became Queen.
With the passing of Queen Elizabeth, it hasn't yet been announced where King Charles and Camilla, Queen Consort will officially live however it's likely that they will move into Buckingham Palace.
An 1874 drawing of Clarence House.
Clarence House is situated on The Mall in London next to St James's Palace. It was built between 1825 and 1827 for The Duke of Clarence (later King William IV) and his wife Adelaide. It sustained damage during WWII bombing raids and underwent extensive repairs before Princess Elizabeth and The Duke of Edinburgh moved in.
One other notable resident was Princess Diana, who moved in to Clarence House before her engagement to Prince Charles was announced. She lived there until they married in 1981.
The home is opened up to the public in August each year, where visitors can be given a guided tour of the five rooms and adjoining spaces on the ground floor.
But now, thanks to the magic of Google 3D technology, you can take a tour from your living room.
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Entrance Hall. Visitors to Clarence house are first greeted by the stunning entrance hall.

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The Entrance Hall includes an impressive collection of ceramics and art. At the far end hangs the Queen Mother's Garter Banner. According to the Clarence House website, 'Garter Banners belong to Knights and Ladies of The Order of the Garter - the oldest and most senior Order of Chivalry in Britain.'

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It also displays some treasured photographic memories. Here, a photo of Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry in their military uniforms sits next to a photo of The Queen Mother.

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A bust of King Edward VIII, The Queen's father, stands proudly in the hallway.

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A bust of The Queen Mother sits opposite in an alcove off The Entrance Hall.

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The Lancaster Room. Just off the entrance hall is The Lancaster Room, which is used as a waiting room for visitors to the house. The room got its name because the people of Lancaster gifted money to Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh for their wedding in 1947. The money was used to decorate and furnish the room.

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The Morning Room. This room was originally designed as the breakfast room. Between 1949 and 1952, The Duke of Edinburgh used it as his study. The room is often used for official family portraits, and was recently the location for Prince Louis' christening portraits.

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The Morning Room was said to be The Queen Mother's favourite room in the house. It has doors through to the Library. To the left is a collection of family photos and sitting above is the first official portrait of Princess Elizabeth, painted when she was seven years old.

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Family photos including The Queen, Charles and Camilla, a candid photo of Prince Harry and an image of Charles' beloved Grandmother The Queen Mother, sit proudly at the end of The Morning Room.

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The Library. This room leads off from The Morning Room and has doors through to The Dining Room. It was originally designed as The Entrance Hall. Before she became Queen, Princess Elizabeth, along with The Duke of Edinburgh, had bookshelves installed in the room, turning it into The Library. Those bookshelves have since been replaced by free-standing bookcases. The Queen Mother used it as an informal dining room. "The Queen Mother started the tradition of hosting visiting Heads of State for tea," explains a Clarence House spokesperson, "and the library as seen in this picture is set up in the way it would have been in her day. Their Royal Highnesses continue to uphold this tradition."

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Portraits of The Queen Mother, L, and The Queen, R, adorn the walls of The Library.

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A close-up of The Queen's portrait.

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The Dining Room. According to a Clarence House spokesperson, "The Dining Room is often used when His Royal Highness hosts large meetings at Clarence House. But it has also witnessed some really memorable family occasions, such as the dinner hosted for Her Majesty The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, in honour of their Diamond wedding anniversary."

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The ceiling in The Dining Room is accented by striking bronze coving, which was added by The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall. Above the fireplace is a portrait of the late Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.

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The Horse Corridor. Many of the items in the house reflect the style and interests of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, who lived in Clarence House for five decades, from 1953 until her death in 2002. "Their Royal Highnesses love Clarence House and although they have made it their home with their own personal touches, The Queen Mother's legacy lives on and is evident throughout the house," says a Clarence House spokesperson.

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The Horse Corridor pays tribute to The Queen Mother's love of horses. The corridor leads through to The Garden Room.

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The Garden Room. This room was created by The Queen Mother from two rooms, which formed part of the 1870s extension. It offers beautiful views out onto the garden, from which the room gets its name, and is also home to a grand piano and golden harp.

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The Garden Room is home to many photos from Their Royal Highnesses' personal collection. Here, a photo of Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall, sits behind the couch next to an official Royal Family portrait of The Queen and her grandchildren released for The Queen's 90th birthday.

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The Garden Room is said to be Prince Charles' favourite room in the house. Many of Charles and Camilla's private photos have pride of place on the piano.

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Photos of William and Harry are displayed near the windows which look out to the impressive garden that Prince Charles had designed in memory of his Grandmother, The Queen Mother.

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