Renovations Shift Royal Operations to Windsor Castle Until 2027
King Charles and Queen Camilla appeared emotional as they said their final goodbye from Buckingham Palace on Wednesday, marking the temporary closure of the iconic royal residence for a £369 million refurbishment.
The farewell came after hosting the Amir of Qatar and Sheikha Jawaher for the last State Banquet at Buckingham Palace until renovations are completed in 2027. Going forward, all state visits will take place at Windsor Castle.
In newly released photos, the King, 76, and Queen, 77, were seen in high spirits, but a royal insider revealed the couple was “a little emotional” about the historic moment. The royal family shared a joint message from the King and Queen, stating: "Thank you for coming!"
The refurbishment project, which began in 2017, has also necessitated relocating King Charles’ private office from the north wing to the Belgian Suite in the Garden Wing. This new workspace includes the Orleans Room, a place of personal significance as it is where the King was born on November 14, 1948.
Despite the poignant farewell, King Charles resumed his royal duties on Thursday, appearing at St Peter’s Church to meet staff, aid workers, and volunteers supporting humanitarian efforts in the Middle East and Ukraine.
The Palace's closure marks a new chapter for the monarchy, as operations and ceremonies temporarily shift to Windsor Castle while renovations preserve Buckingham Palace’s legacy for future generations.
